Civic Duty

PeeWee exercised his today:

Open Hearts, Open Homes

"No Kill" is actually "Low Kill"

No-kill shelters are not forbidden from euthanizing animals. In order to qualify for the "no-kill" name, a shelter must have a 90% or higher live release rate. So 9 out of every 10 animals admitted by the shelter must be adopted or transferred out.

These shelters do euthanize animals for severe health or behavior problems that cannot be corrected. They do not euthanize animals to create space. This means no-kill shelters need to manage their numbers via intake. Some will only take adoptable animals while others stretch their facilities to accommodate older or "less desirable" pets. But even the most flexible shelter may have to turn animals away when they get too full.

Experienced critters need not apply

One way to keep numbers down and adoptions up is to keep the average age of your animals low. Kittens and puppies practically fly out the door. Adult animals stay around much longer. And seniors, well...

It's an unfortunate fact that people don't always outlive their pets. Many do plan ahead and put care provisions in their wills, but sometimes things just happen. It turns out the niece is allergic to cats, or the grandson now has young children and doesn't feel that he can take the dog. For one reason or another, pets often end up in the shelter after their owners pass away. And these animals are often seniors themselves.

When people come into the shelter to find their new fur buddy, they imagine a pet they will have for many years. So it's difficult to find someone who will consider a senior pet, one who may have just a couple of years left to them. Losing a four-legged family member breaks your heart, and few want to sign up for that after such a short time.

Foster friends

This is where the amazing foster families come in. There are many reasons an animal might need to go into foster, beginning with the simple fact that each fostered animal opens up space at the shelter. Fostering is also helpful when an animal needs extra socialization, is experiencing shelter stress, or is awaiting/recovering from medical treatment.

One type of fostering that often gets overlooked, however, is hospice fostering. Animals that are admitted to a no-kill shelter but end up being terminally ill can become eligible for a hospice fostering program. These animals are often in their golden years. Some have been companions to humans their entire lives. Hospice fostering allows these dogs and cats to once again be pets. They get to experience the safety and love that comes with having a home as they live their last few weeks or months. When they do pass on, they are cradled in affection, held by a person they have come to trust.

All three of the animals pictured above were part of GPSPCA's hospice foster program. You may recognize Dr. Mew from a previous CotM post; worry not, he's currently doing quite well in his foster home.

Hospice fostering is not for everyone, of course. It's an emotional roller coaster that requires an enormous amount of patience as you submit to a schedule of feeding, medication, and vet appointments that can get rather intense. But the difference you can make in the life of an animal is enormous.

If you're the hardy sort, someone who likes a challenge, contact your local shelter and ask about hospice fostering. Or if that's not something you think you could do, maybe take in a litter of bottle babies. There are even short-term foster opportunities (sometimes as short as overnight) for those who have more variable schedules that keep them from longer commitments.

Fostering saves lives. 

Crisis Crossroads

Great Plains SPCA has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few years. Between opening a second location in Independence, Missouri, and increasing the number of pets served by 250%, their resources have become stretched rather thin.

Right now, GPSPCA is at a "Crisis Crossroads"

Without urgent financial support, local Kansas City pets will not receive the medical care and protection from abuse and neglect that they deserve. It's the last thing we want, but demand for our unique services is exceeding our financial resources.

From providing sliding-scale vet care to the public to outreach programs aimed at improving the lives of area seniors, students, and pets, Great Plains is a real asset to the Kansas City community. Not to mention the thousands of animals that come through the shelter and find new homes.

All donations through October 15, 2015, will be fully matched. This is an excellent time to make your money stretch twice as far and do twice as much to help pets in the Kansas City area. Please consider making a donation today.

THANK YOU
My most heartfelt thanks to those who have so generously contributed to my campaign:

The Gies Family