Where To Take Unwanted Cats

Effective Strategies To Achieve No

The most effective path to no-kill includes a combination of collaborative partnerships and coalitions among animal shelters, animal rescue groups and community members working toward a collective goal proven programs and best practices designed to save the most lives possible and data-driven decision-making for each individual community.

No-kill coalition-building: Creating a no-kill community or a no-kill state requires collaboration among organizations and individuals committed to achieving a common goal. Through the coalition model, communities can utilize resources more effectively create unified public messaging maintain consistent, transparent reporting take collective ownership of lifesaving and measure and sustain progress over time.

Best Friends’ No-Kill Utah and No-Kill Los Angeles initiatives are examples of successful no-kill coalitions at the state and city levels. Effective coalitions also pursue opportunities for providing professional development and training to help shelter staff, animal control officers and animal welfare leaders gain the expertise they need to save more lives.

Lifesaving programs and best practices: While each shelter and community have unique lifesaving needs, there are a number of best practices and programs that are used in some form or another in any community working toward no-kill. These programs include:

What Is Trap Neuter Return

We can all agree there are too many cats, especially cats that live outside and are considered community cats or feral. Feral kitties have had no human contact, dont wish to have any and have always lived outside. When the kittens are caught early enough, they can be socialized in foster homes and adopted out. But these once feral kittens take homes away from all the other social cats and kittens already in shelters that need homes too!

Ferals are considered unadoptable and if taken to a shelter, they are euthanized. There are approximately 60 million ferals in the United States. TNR seeks to reduce the number of community cats while increasing their quality of life. After a community cat has been spayed or neutered and vaccinated, it is returned to the original colony where it can live out a full, healthy, non-reproductive life. TNR is endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association. TNR is the least costly as well as the most efficient and humane way of stabilizing and ultimately reducing the feral cat population.

Certainly, people could instead choose to kill the cats, but it is far more expensive and does not work. Cats are territorial animals, when they are removed from the colony, new ones move in and breed to capacity. So, simply put, if you remove the cats, more will move in.

Schedule A Surrender Appointment

Surrender appointments last approximately 30-45 minutes and will include a health exam and behavior evaluation of your pet. During the appointment, staff will gather information about your pet and complete an initial exam and evaluation. We’ll then discuss your options so you can make the best decision for your pet.

Please note that Animal Humane Society is an open-admission organization that accepts all animals. As a result, animals deemed untreatable or unhealthy may not be candidates for adoption, and humane euthanasia may be considered in some cases.

To schedule a surrender appointment, call our Pet Helpline at .

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South Dakota: Heartland Humane Society

– Pets taken in : 596

A private, nonprofit, limited-admission shelter, Heartland Humane Society is located in Yankton and was established in 2006. All animals taken in at the shelter receive veterinary care, spay/neuter, vaccines, and testing for heartworm and feline leukemia. In addition to the adoption and foster programs, Heartland provides volunteer opportunities for the community, and hosts annual fundraising events, such as its Wine & Whiskers gala. Go to www.heartlandhumanesociety.net for more information.

What It Means To Be A No

While the 90% benchmark offers a meaningful, consistent way to gauge progress, it is neither a floor nor a ceiling. For many shelters, a true no-kill save rate may be closer to 95% . For some shelters, particularly those offering care and services such as neonatal kitten programs or compassionate end-of-life services for residents with pets in under-resourced communities, the no-kill benchmark may be slightly below 90%.

The goal is for every shelter, no matter what type of shelter it is, to make a clear commitment to lifesaving and transparency while working to achieve and sustain no-kill in philosophy and practice, rather than simply working to obtain a no-kill designation.

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Oregon: Multnomah County Animal Services

– Pets taken in : 5,124

Portlands only open-door animal shelter, Multnomah County Animal Services provides adoption and foster services, as well as low-cost spay and neuter clinics, licensing, emergency response, and free livestock registration. The shelter was recently involved in a long-term cruelty and neglect investigation in which 86 animals were rescued from a pet-hoarding situation.

Need To Find Your Pet A New Home

If youre struggling financially, annoyed by your pet’s behavior, experiencing pet allergies or having trouble finding housing that welcomes your pets, our resources can help.

Pet-related problems can be frustrating and you may feel that giving up your pet is the only solution. But before you take that step, check out the resources available to help pet owners resolve problems that may seem overwhelming. Best case scenario: You wont have to part with your friend after all. But if you do, our tips can help you find your pet a loving new home.

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Virginia: Lynchburg Humane Society

– Pets taken in : 4,853

The Lynchburg Humane Society took in nearly 5,000 animals in 2018, with a total save rate of 91%. The shelter serves the communities of Lynchburg and nearby Appomattox, as well as assisting public shelters in other states. Adoption fees vary based on pet age, health, and adoptability, and all adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccines, a free veterinary visit, and 10% off the societys retail shop on the day of adoption. The shelter also offers training classes and childrens programs, and provides information on pet-friendly housing. For more information, go to www.lynchburghumane.org.

Texas: Austin Animal Center

– Pets taken in : 15,856

Serving all of Travis County, the Austin Animal Center is an open-admissions facility that provides aid to more than 16,000 animals a year. Dogs that spend time at the shelter get to be part of its dog enrichment program, which includes walks and activities to help long-term animal residents stay healthy. Adoption fees include spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip, and an adjustable collar with a tag. The facility also offers free microchips and ID tags to all Travis County residents, as well as low-cost spay and neuter clinics. For more information, go to www.austintexas.gov/department/aac.

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Idaho: Kootenai Humane Society

– Pets taken in : 2,720

Established in 1975, Kootenai Humane Society serves all of Idahos Kootenai County, and contracts with Coeur dAlene and Rathdrum to house strays. Services include adoption and fostering, education, mentoring of other shelters, and community outreach. The shelter is currently working toward building a new facility on 10 acres with a 24,000-square-foot building to house the animals taken in. Information on Kootenais services and adoptable pets can be found at www.kootenaihumanesociety.com.

Aaar Winter Shelter Building Supplies Wish List:

Nashuamulti-purpose aluminum foil tape

Large styrofoam cooler boxes Just like fish shipment boxes or used for medicines to be shipped to hospitals. Check with your large chain pet shops, grocery stores, veterinary hospitals and human hospitals. Interior measurements of coolers should be an absolute minimum of 15 inches long x 15 inches wide and 14 inches high and 2 inches or more thick. The bigger and thicker the better! A 15x15x14 size cooler would fit one cat.

In lieu of Styrofoam coolers, heavy duty plastic storage tubs: two heavy duty storage bins that fit inside of each other with plenty of room for insulation between the two . Smaller of the two should be at least an 18 gallon. Outer container preferably should be Rubbermaid wont crack in cold weather.

In lieu of Styrofoam coolers, Foam Board Insulation with R-10 value 2 inch by 4 feet by 8 feet. Found at Lowes and Home Depot.

Straw . Found at tractor supply stores, feed stores, TrueValue, some nurseries.

Reflectix mylar insulation Found at Lowes/Home Depot in the insulation department.

COVID-19 Cat Food Assistance: We are grateful to have been the recipient of an Alley Cat Allies emergency disaster grant that brought over 7,000 lbs of food to community cats during the height of the COVID-19 crisis.

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Determine If The Cat Is A Stray

Try to determine if the cat is lost or abandoned, and not simply a neighbors indoor-outdoor cat.

• Talk to neighbors to see if they know anything about the cat.
• Post notices on online social or neighborhood networks such as Facebook or Nextdoor.
• Post messages on online pet rescue groups or message boards such as the Missing Pet Network.
• Place signs around the neighborhood asking if the cat belongs to anyone.
• Contact local shelters to file a Found Cat Report.
• Contact the shelter in the county where the cat was found, as well as neighboring counties if they are close by.

Arizona: Maricopa County Animal Care And Control

– Pets taken in : 28,376

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, which has offices in Phoenix and Mesa, took in more than 28,000 pets in 2018. In addition to adoption and foster services, the organization offers low-cost vaccine clinics, spaying and neutering, and pet licensing. For the past two years, Maricopa County has joined forces with the Phoenix Police Department for the Police and Paws adoption event, during which officers help walk dogs and get them ready for adoption. Activities include games, vendors, and a kissing booth of an adoptable dog. Adoption fees are waived for dogs adopted during the event.

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How To Help A Stray Pet

You’re driving your car when you see a dog on the side of the road. With a sinking feeling, you realize they are alone. What should you do?

This is a wrenching scenario for all who care about animals. After all, what if your own pet were standing there? Use our guidelines for providing safe and effective help.

Increasing Chances Of Adoption With Simple Techniques

If youre looking to re-home a pet, Pets for Patriots points out, youre going to want to take a really good picture of your pet, looking as happy and cute as possible, basically showing your cat in the best light possible.

Youre going to want to write up a short biography of that pet that lists any training he or she has , as well as a medical history and current medical conditions + medications he or she might be on.

Youll want to list favourites toys, trees, etc. whatever you can think of that he or she loves, as well attributes you feel are positive and good about your cat.

Definitely be honest, dont lie about your cats problem getting along with kids if one exists. You dont want your cat to go to a household that might be a problem for that cat. But make sure youre paying attention to the attributes others would see as positive in a cat even if you dont necessarily see them that way .

What else? This is a really important bit. Again, from Pets for Patriots:

Prepare your pet. Make sure your dog or cat is groomed, up-to-date on her vaccinations, and is flea- and tick-free. If you have not done so already, have your pet spayed or neutered.

Low-cost vaccination and spay/neuter clinics may be available in your area. Check with local shelters and pet stores.

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A Matter Of Life & Death

There are many considerations responsible pet owners must take into account when deciding whether to give up their pet. Read this carefully to ensure your pet has the best chance at a good future. Making the wrong decision could mean your pet’s life is taken prematurely.

If you are interested in re-homing a pet adopted from PAWS Chicago, please contact us at 773-935-7297 to discuss returning the animal to PAWS.

Delaware: Brandywine Valley Spca

– Pets taken in : 8,006

The Brandywine Valley SPCA, which has shelters in New Castle and Georgetown, Delaware, as well as in Pennsylvania, provides care for several thousand animals each year. In addition to adoptions, the shelters offer low-cost spay and neuter clinics, vaccines, food assistance, and pet boarding. In January 2019, Brandywine opened its Animal Rescue Center in Georgetown, an 11,500-square-foot facility with room for up to 250 animals. For more information on Brandywine SPCA, go to www.bvspca.org.

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Second Best Option For Your Pet

The second best alternative is to find your pet a home with a friend or family member who knows your pet well. You can continue to see your pet so that he doesn’t feel abandoned, and you have confident that he is being cared for. Be very careful when handing your pet over to a stranger you have met online or through acquaintances. Make sure that you check references to ensure the person is responsible and ask that they reach back out to you in the event that they can no longer care for your pet. In fact, it is best to document those stipulations in a contract to show your seriousness.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma Humane Society

– Pets taken in : 5,849

Partnering with Oklahoma City Animal Welfare and other local shelters, the Oklahoma Humane Society focuses on eliminating unnecessary euthanasia of otherwise healthy and adoptable animals. Adoption fees include spay/neuter, microchips, flea and tick treatment, and vaccines. The humane society also offers low-cost spay and neuter clinics, veterinarian wellness checks, and low-cost vaccines. The shelter runs a neonate program that provides care for kittens and puppies under 6 weeks old, and their mothers. For more information on the shelter and adoptions, go to www.okhumane.org.

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Giving Your Pet To A Shelter Is A Last Resort

The last option is for you to turn your pet into a shelter. If you want to ensure your pet’s life, you must do your due diligence! Many shelters pretend to be No Kill, but in reality they save far fewer than the bare minimum threshold of 90% to qualify as a No Kill shelter. Ask for data on all animals that came into the shelter in the prior year and ask whether the shelter would be willing to contact you if, for any reason, your animal was at risk of euthanasia.

Sadly, shelters are not always transparent to the public about a pet’s likelihood of survival. Many call themselves “Open Door”, but they take in more animals than they can save and kill the excess. They often euthanize greater percentages of the animals they take in than the city pound in the area, which frequently have robust transfer relationships with No Kill shelters and rescue groups.

If you must give your pet to a shelter, consult our Guide to Determining if a Shelter is No Kill.

Nebraska: Beatrice Humane Society

– Pets taken in : 800

The Beatrice Humane Society is an open-door shelter that takes in animals regardless of age or health. Adoption fees, which vary based on a pets age, health, and potential adoptability, include spay or neuter, vaccines, treatments for parasites, microchip, grooming, and health testing. The shelter also has a cat program in which cats who arent suited for indoor living can be hired as mousers at businesses, barns, or farms, with adoption fees waived. More information can be found at www.beatricehumanesociety.org.

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Where Can I Take My Cat To Be Adopted

You can take your cat to be adopted at a rescue organization or animal shelter, but a potentially less stressful option for your cat is to rehome him yourself. You can post your cat online and get him adopted without taking him anywhere. In fact, we think it’s the best and easiest way to find your kitty a new home if you cannot keep your cat any longer.

Mississippi: Southern Pines Animal Shelter

– Pets taken in : 8,051

Southern Pines Animal Shelter is an open-admissions facility, accepting animals regardless of health, age, or adoptability. Located in Hattiesburg, the shelter takes in animals from all surrounding counties. It not only focuses on finding homes for pets, but also provides community outreach and education, low-cost spay and neuter clinics, and partners with the local Habitat for Humanity as part of the Houses for Hounds dog house building program.

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Lost And Stray Kittens

Unless they’re in immediate danger or sick, kittens should stay where they are.

Many well-intentioned animal lovers unintentionally orphan stray kittens whose mother may be in the area. Kittens who are able to stay safely with their mom have a much better chance of survival. Once they’re in the shelter, young kittens will only survive because of the expert care of our foster volunteers.

This helpful graphic can assist you in determining if kittens are in need of rescue. Please review the information below for details about bringing kittens to HSSW and other resources available to support kittens in need.