Media release
Posted
For Immediate Release: Monday, June 07, 2010
Sponsored by: Health and Human Services Department, Animal Services Division
The Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter is bursting at the seams with a sudden influx of cats and kittens and is asking the public to help. On Friday, June 4, the shelter brought in a whopping 33 unwanted cats and kittens. “No one can remember bringing in that many cats in one day,” says Deborah Wood, Washington County Animal Services Manager.
Shelter staff is asking people to consider adopting cats and kittens, and possibly volunteering to act as foster parents for kittens that aren’t old enough to go to their permanent homes.
How to Help:
**Adopt. The shelter has cats and kittens of all ages. They are long-haired, short-haired, tabbies, calicos, black kitties and tuxedoes. “We can pretty much guarantee you will find a great pet if you come in,” says Melinda Hines, Senior Animal Shelter Technician. While kittens usually find loving homes quickly, adult cats have a harder time. “We have mama cats that are barely older than kittens themselves, and other adult cats that will make fabulous family pets,” says Hines.
The adoption fee for adult cats is $50; the kitten adoption fee is $80. All cats are spayed or neutered before going to their new homes, up-to-date on shots, microchipped, and test negative for Feline AIDS and Feline Leukemia. “When you add in all these services, our cats cost less than a free cat,” says Wood.
Adoption hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM and Wednesday from noon to 5:30.
**Foster a Litter. “We are looking for caring foster homes to give kittens a good start in life. No kitten should spend its early weeks in a shelter,” says Wood.
Foster kittens typically stay with their foster families for two to six weeks. They may be with their mother cat, or may just need TLC without their mothers while they become socialized and old enough to be ready for their permanent homes. “It’s fun to foster,” says Hines. “Kitten antics are hilarious. They’re entertaining – and the foster family is helping out these little guys enormously.”
To become a foster parent, come to the shelter and fill out an application.
For More Information, contact the Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter at 503-846-7039.