For years, our Humane Society has been working towards the goal of becoming a no-kill shelter. This isn't easy when there's an "open door" policy and they take in any animal that comes their way.
During the month of April, that goal didn't seem so out of reach - the HS didn't have to euthanize a single healthy/adoptable cat. This really is huge news. REALLY huge. And I can't even begin to tell you how THRILLED we all are to hear it.
The Butterbean Quarantine which YOU helped build with your generous donations played a big part in making this happen! Check out this article in our local paper HERE.
For quite some time it's felt like things have been getting better. It's so nice to see it in the numbers.
: )
YAY FOR SAVING KITTIES! :)
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Laurie and the IBKC!
Go us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *beams*
ReplyDeleteThis is excellent news!
ReplyDeleteSuper news, and I'm honored to be a part of it!
ReplyDeleteOur shelter rocks!!
Oh...I needed sunshine like this today.
ReplyDeleteHugs from Houston
The Bean is such a philanthropist!
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful news!!!
ReplyDeleteI saw your tweet and almost started crying. I then saw what my shelter did in the tiny Washington (also an overwhelmed open access shelter that is trying to work toward a 100% rehoming for all adoptables but isn't there yet)http://washhumane.typepad.com/blog/2010/05/blind-harvey-can-see.html It's not meant to be spamming, but I'm just so happy to see good things in the shelters that I have to share (if you don't want to click--through our special medical fund we were able to do an operation that allowed a blind cat to see!)
ReplyDeleteBig hugs to you and the Charlene-- that's wonderful news!
ReplyDeleteI, too, almost started crying! Now...how do we get it so ALL shelters are no kill?
ReplyDeleteOne shelter at a time, @GD!
ReplyDelete@Bethany, I don't think any of us mind seeing ways to help other shelters. I wish I had money to send right now!
It's been a sad day for me today, but reading the article reminded me that sometimes things we do - even if they feel small - can make a difference.
Thank you, IBKC community. I'm a proud member. If we had member cards, I'd be a card-carrier.
What great news!
ReplyDeleteNow, I assume you're fundraising again this year. I'm putting this out there now, so it has time to settle in. I think you should make your goal $50,000. Why not? The worst that could happen is you may not raise that much, but you'll raise more than last year. And it'll allow you to avoid reaching your goal in the first few weeks of fundraising, and then having to keep changing the target.
awesome!! the spca i volunteer at has been "no-kill" for space for about 6 years. they'll keep those babies as long as they have to! and then they promote them as "star pets" with discounted adoption fees until they find a home. i don't think i could do it otherwise.
ReplyDeleteHooray!
ReplyDeleteHooray! That's fantastic news! Thank you thank you thank you!
ReplyDeletethis is great news!!!!
ReplyDeletei have a question, it seems to me that the numbers of cats but down for "behavior issues" is very, very high. i did some reading and one person described taking a kitten in who was feral and her cats would not accept a third animal. she called in days later, only to be told that the kitten had been put down, as they put down all feral animals without even evalutating them. another said she saw a woman whose cat was matted and not well cared for say the cat didnt use the litter box, and that too was marked down as a behavior issue even though cases where high that the box in this case was just dirty.
and someone else described that place as a death camp for animals... please do you know if they EVALUATE each and every cat or kitten (why are so many kittens put down??) before putting them down?
That's more than huge.
ReplyDeleteIt's gloriously, mind blowingingly GYNORMOUS. Is that a word? If it isn't, it should be.
Laurie, I hope you are over the moon with joy. How does it feel to be the hands of the Universe saving four legged blessings right and left? That's what you are. Don't try to argue with me. Resistance is futile.
And of course, much love to the Bean.
Blessings all around.
ReplyDeleteFantastic. Great Karma for humans and kitties.
ReplyDeletefantabulous!
ReplyDeleteYAY! No-kill animal shelters FTW! ^__^
ReplyDeleteOh Bean, what wonderful news!! I am sure it has to do with your bright blue big adoring eyes that have drawn so much awareness to the plight of all these itty bitty kitties:-)
ReplyDeleteHooray!!! That's HUGE news and I hope everybody at IBKC and the Tacoma/Pierce Humane Society is punching their fists in the air and exchanging high-fives. Time for another fundraiser, yes?
ReplyDeleteI volunteer for a no-kill shelter, and it pains me to imagine a different shelter environment. How great to know that another shelter is able to proudly announce this.
Karla,,, The animals are all individually evaluated, and are usually given a "cooling off" period before this evaluation.
ReplyDeleteAs for the numbers, I'm not sure how they compare to other shelters.
"Behavior issues" often means feral cats. The HS is working to promote a trap spay/neuter release program, so in time, the numbers should improve. Actually, they already have.
Although the HS tries, It's hard to find places for feral cats and kittens. "Adoptable/Healthy" cats are easier to find spots for with rescues.
Yep, that made me cry for sure. It's a lot of work to make a difference, but all the volunteers, staff, leadership and contributors to the Humane Society have obviously done it. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteCount me IN for this year's fundraiser!
God bless you all.
By the way, for a minute -- just a red hot minute -- I thought that the headline applied to CHARLENE!! That made me smile. Cuz she's not fat, she's floofy, as everybody knows.
ReplyDeleteYay!
ReplyDeleteCynthia, your last comment had me laughing uncontrollably. I was admiring her picture and was struck by how long her whiskers are, like Leroy Neiman long, then I realized whisker length is related to girth and then....
ReplyDeleteWell, there is just a lot of Charlene to love.
G, she is gorgeous, to be sure. I find her mesmerizing!
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning there was Drewey, our favorite crank. She's responsible for turning Laurie into the kitten wrangler extraordinaire we all know and love. On April 1, darling Drewey died, and that month the shelter 'didn't have to euthanize a single healthy/adoptable cat.' Coincidence? You decide. :)
ReplyDeleteLynda, you made me cry! That's a beautiful thought!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to this community. You all warm my heart.
Bring on the fundraiser!! Congrats to all the folks that worked so hard on the cats' and kittens' behalf. And Laurie, Bean and that man of theirs. I always go to this site if I need a smile, if not the current post, all the links to all the past posts. Hard to not find something furry to make you smile.
ReplyDeleteYay for saving all the kittehs! I am so proud of you all at HS Tacoma. Way to go! Keep up the great work and no more euthanizing adoptable kitties.
ReplyDeleteBrings a happy tear to my eye. I worked at an Oregon shelter 20yrs ago. Wonderful facility, with an on site spay/neuter clinic, but sadly WAY more healthy, socialized cats and dogs than homes for them. I'll never forgot a young woman who was adopting a dog lamenting the fact she would have to be spayed before she could take her home. She said she "just wanted the dog to "experience motherhood" and she could find good homes for the pups". I told her to take a look around the kennel, over 40 dogs, mostly under 2yrs old, all were puppies that "went to good homes". So glad to see responsible pet ownership improve in my lifetime. All the way to 50k next year!
ReplyDeleteWaddaya say Charlene? aim for 25 squillion? or 50?
ReplyDeleteI sure hope you have some kittens to help with the publicity like last year, or you will be worn out!
My eyes watered as my heart warmed for all the kitties and all the volunteers!
Wot wonderful noos. Yoo made our day. Thank yoo.
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo!
ReplyDeleteOn to a no-kill summer, and then a no-kill year, and then no-kill, period.
yes!!!
ReplyDeleteYES YES YES! what wonderful news, thanks IBKC! Good job ms Bean.
ReplyDeleteTerrific news :)
ReplyDeleteYes, friends. The fundraiser will be coming up soon.
ReplyDelete