Amador County - In a recent conversation with TSPN, Amador County Animal Control Director John Vail highlighted the need for locals to provide homes for the large number of adoptable animals here in Amador County. “It’s a mutual benefit for both the animal and the loving person or family who chooses to make that animal their own,” said Vail. APAL Human Society of Amador County, which promotes the adoption of animals who come exclusively from Animal Control, announced Monday that its animal shelter is full. Rebecca, a foster for the APAL kitten program, called it “awful” and said “there are cages and cages, each one full of crying kittens.” Depending on capacity needs, kittens may soon be euthanized to make space for more kittens on the way. The discrepancy between the number of dog and cat adoptions in Amador County is significant. In the last two years, the adoption rate (also known as the live release rate) through Animal Control and the APAL program was approximately 85 percent for dogs, but closer to 75 percent for cats. Vail says a lot of factors come into play when determining adoption rates between the two species, the main factor being that fewer cats are spayed or neutered and his department takes in more cats than dogs as a result. “I don’t believe the value people place on cats and dogs is any different, but there are some people who own and spay or neuter their dogs but don’t with cats,” said Vail. He says part of this may be due to the independent nature of the feline. He says cats may also reproduce at higher rates. Vail said he believes “the pet culture in our country is changing” and noted that in some urban areas, the rates of cat adoptions now exceed rates for dogs. Animal Control and the APAL program have a number of programs in place to encourage more adoptions. Over the last year they have held two open houses with lowered adoption rates, specifically for cats. Another open house is being planned for September. The Adopt a Kitten program has proven successful in promoting adoptions as well. APAL also has a free spay and neuter program for feral cats and for dogs and cats whose owners qualify for Medical. Kitten adoptions are now $25 at APAL, which includes spaying and vaccinations. While the overall adoption rates in Amador County are comparatively high Vail said there is always more that can be done. “I’ve been talking with Supervisors and spreading the word about the importance of increasing the number of animal adoptions,” he said. “It’s of benefit to all of us.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.-
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Amador County - In a recent conversation with TSPN, Amador County Animal Control Director John Vail highlighted the need for locals to provide homes for the large number of adoptable animals here in Amador County. “It’s a mutual benefit for both the animal and the loving person or family who chooses to make that animal their own,” said Vail. APAL Human Society of Amador County, which promotes the adoption of animals who come exclusively from Animal Control, announced Monday that its animal shelter is full. Rebecca, a foster for the APAL kitten program, called it “awful” and said “there are cages and cages, each one full of crying kittens.” Depending on capacity needs, kittens may soon be euthanized to make space for more kittens on the way. The discrepancy between the number of dog and cat adoptions in Amador County is significant. In the last two years, the adoption rate (also known as the live release rate) through Animal Control and the APAL program was approximately 85 percent for dogs, but closer to 75 percent for cats. Vail says a lot of factors come into play when determining adoption rates between the two species, the main factor being that fewer cats are spayed or neutered and his department takes in more cats than dogs as a result. “I don’t believe the value people place on cats and dogs is any different, but there are some people who own and spay or neuter their dogs but don’t with cats,” said Vail. He says part of this may be due to the independent nature of the feline. He says cats may also reproduce at higher rates. Vail said he believes “the pet culture in our country is changing” and noted that in some urban areas, the rates of cat adoptions now exceed rates for dogs. Animal Control and the APAL program have a number of programs in place to encourage more adoptions. Over the last year they have held two open houses with lowered adoption rates, specifically for cats. Another open house is being planned for September. The Adopt a Kitten program has proven successful in promoting adoptions as well. APAL also has a free spay and neuter program for feral cats and for dogs and cats whose owners qualify for Medical. Kitten adoptions are now $25 at APAL, which includes spaying and vaccinations. While the overall adoption rates in Amador County are comparatively high Vail said there is always more that can be done. “I’ve been talking with Supervisors and spreading the word about the importance of increasing the number of animal adoptions,” he said. “It’s of benefit to all of us.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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