Shelters Get Creative to be Able to Care for Abandoned Pets

Posted by Joseph Smith

Animal shelters have been thinking of more creative ways to be able to survive the downturn and remain strong for abandoned pets.

As shelter donations and funding decline and as shelter finances get wiped out, shelter officers need to find innovative ways to raise funds, to increase pet adoptions and to reduce the number of animals being surrendered to shelters.

The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City has been helping shelters in the area promote pet adoptions. Shelters in the area need to broaden their marketing campaigns as they have no-kill policies. They need to move animals at a faster rate for adoption since they do not euthanize.

The Pet Connection shelter in Mission, Kansas has also been facing some problems with its veteran pets – those that have been staying for a long time in the shelter because they have special characteristics that discourage prospective pet owners.

Shelter volunteers use Facebook networking, pet expos, pet telethons, shopping mall adoption events and adoption clinics to find adoptive owners for abandoned pets.

At the Lyon County Animal Control center in Nevada, shelter officials have started a surrender list program to accommodate pets that are being surrendered at times that the shelter is full. The surrender list puts animals in a queuing system, encouraging pet owners to make plans in advance if they are at risk of losing their homes or if they need to move to housing units that ban pets.

The Kukuis Alii Animal Rescue in Dayton, Nevada, which was founded by animal rights advocate Deborah Larson, also has an information program advising pet owners on what to do. The rescue center can find foster homes or new homes for pets of distressed owners if the center is notified in advance.

Kukuis also helps pet owners obtain free pet food at times owners are not able to buy pet food because of financial difficulties.

In Asheville, North Carolina, the Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, which has grown from a group of foster homes four years ago to a 10,000-square-foot facility in June last year, has launched its inaugural five-kilometer run and one-mile dog walk to raise funds to buy the building it is currently renting.

For people willing to adopt pets or considering giving foster care while testing their ability to care for animals, the no-kill rescue center Brother Wolf has about 65 abandoned pets waiting for adoption.

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