Virginia shelter shines when it comes to saving cats
Best Friends Animal Society challenged shelters around the country to increase their cat lifesaving by introducing or expanding community cat programming. Virginia shelters showed up.
Community cat programs continue to prove their effectiveness
In July, shelters across the country participated in Best Friends’ Community Cat Challenge, resulting in a 48% improvement in cat lifesaving for those shelters compared to the same period last year.
Three shelters right here in Virginia participated. Alleghany Humane Society, Regional Animal Shelter of King William County, and Pulaski County Animal Control were awarded grants as a result of their participation.
Pulaski County residents prove to be partners in lifesaving
For the challenge, Pulaski County Animal Control — which has struggled in the past with a policy requiring them to take in all cats brought to them — implemented a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) program. Shelter staff found that most people bringing in cats who lived outside were willing to let the cats return to their outdoor homes as long as they were spayed or neutered. The people just needed to be presented with this option.
"I have always felt like there should be more we can do to help the cats in our county," says Julie Webb, senior animal control officer and shelter manager at Pulaski County Animal Control. "And this program is just what we need."
During the challenge month of July, Pulaski County Animal Control saw a 58% decrease in the number of cats losing their lives. They plan to continue the TNVR program, and the $2,500 grant and a $500 animal equipment gift card they received because of their participation in the challenge will help those efforts.
“After 25 years, I was just so happy to finally be able to tell people, ‘Yes, we can help you,’” Julie says.
Huge thanks to challenge sponsor Tomahawk Live Trap for making change like this possible in communities across the country.
Let's make every shelter and every community no-kill
Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets.
Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.
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You can help end the killing in shelters and save the lives of homeless pets when you foster, adopt, and advocate for the dogs and cats who need it most.
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