Until Midnight tonight (Pacific Time), every single penny donated to our fundraiser will help "fix" the problem of cat overpopulation by funding spay and neuter programs at the Humane Society.
These funds will be used to fix feral cats brought in through the trap/neuter/release program.
We've been devoting funds to this program since our early fundraising days, and thanks to the IBKC and community at large, Pierce County is transforming. Instead of teeming with cats, local colonies are altered (then ear-tipped), reducing overpopulation.
The money we raise will also help cover the cost of surgeries for roaming cats or neighborhood strays -- those socialized cats, lost or abandoned by their owners, living in our community. Typically, someone is feeding the cat and allowing it to sleep in the garage or on their porch. This kind neighbor wouldn’t dream of surrendering it to the shelter, but they also do not want to be responsible for another cat. These cats give birth to many of the litters that inundate the shelter during kitten season. Fixing these strays will bring numbers down too.
The Humane Society has several low-cost spay and neuter programs designed to serve pet owners who struggle to make ends meet. Among these is the Cinderella Fund, which serves low-income residents of Pierce County. Through the fund, pet owners apply for a voucher for local participating veterinarians to cover the cost of surgery, with minimal co-pay. Cinderella volunteer Pamela, who has been with the program for four years, joined the volunteer team "wanting to help control pet overpopulation." Like Pamela, the shelter is committed to maintaining the best outcomes for shelter pets and will continue to provide the resources so that every pet owner has access to affordable spay/neuter surgery.
In 2016 the shelter provided 445 Cinderella vouchers to pet owners in need. With an average voucher of $57, the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee ensured 225 of those were possible.
Most pet owners know that altering their pets is the best thing they can do. But the number one reason pet owners don’t spay or neuter their pet is because they can’t afford it. Many have simply fallen on hard times. Or, quite often, a neglected or abandoned pet comes to them for help, and they just can’t turn away a homeless animal. Whatever the reason, they love their pet, and want to do the right thing. And thanks to the Cinderella Fund, income isn’t a barrier to these surgeries.
With help from the Cinderella Fund, low-income families are able to keep their beloved pet without the risk of unwanted litters. Pets are safer, healthier, and countless unwanted litters of kittens can be prevented.
Ultimately, giving our shelter the resources to spay and neuter more cats, allows them to take huge strides in reducing pet overpopulation. By preventing litters and reducing the number of kittens flooding into the shelter each year, it enables them to help the animals that need the most help -- like the Senior and Special Needs cats.
The good news is that the Humane Society’s spay and neuter programs are working! Fewer unwanted litters of kittens are coming to the shelter needing care and adoption. The sad news is that there is still so much more to be done. But we can help them do it!
It's an important day to give, and we hope you'll consider making a donation today.
Cynthia, our dear friend, knows how valuable these Spay and Neuter programs are and is offering up a very generous $3,500 matching donation challenge for us today. For every dollar we donate, she will match it until we hit the $3,500 cap.
The challenge will end at 6:00 PM Pacific Time tonight, but any donation that comes in before Midnight, will go towards the Spay and Neuter programs.
If you are in a position to help, please click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation today! Thank you!
Thanks for caring and giving so much, especially you, dear Cynthia. Your generosity is heart-warming and mind-blowing.
Lots more to come today! Two naming rights auctions have ended we'll be announcing more kitten names. Our "Tea with Bean" auction will be going live and we also have a very special art auction that we'll be starting today.
Also, don't forget that our little poly girl's naming rights auction ends at 11:00 AM. It's the last of the name auctions, so if you wanted to pick a name for a kitten, get in there and bid! It's your last chance!!!
And, the Bart Mittenfloss prints are now available in the IBKC shop.
It's going to be a busy day around here! Do stay close!
I volunteer at a shelter one day a week, so spaying and neutering programs are near and dear to my heart. Of course I love playing with kittens (who doesn't?!), but there is a limit to how many kittens and cats an area can support.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cynthia, for your matching donation to help such a critical program! I wish I could give more than $50 toward this, but I know that every bit helps.