Читать книгу Cats For Dummies - Gina Spadafori - Страница 42

Private, nonprofit shelters come in all varieties. Some are squalid outfits that serve as little more than a fund-raising gimmick for the people in charge. Others are organizations with well-funded endowments and programs that not only help homeless animals but also work to improve conditions for all animals — and animal lovers — in their communities.

Most shelters fall somewhere in the middle: Their buildings could use some work, their budgets are always tight, and they do the best they can with what they have to provide for the animals in their community. Many good, loving pets are available at these shelters, like the ones in Figure 3-1.

Photo by Richard D. Schmidt

FIGURE 3-1: Shelters offer plenty of adoptable animals to choose from — kittens and cats both.

New buildings don’t necessarily a good shelter make, but you certainly want to work with a shelter that clearly cares enough for its charges to make sure they’re kept in areas that are clean and don’t facilitate the spread of disease.

Shelter work is difficult and stressful, and employees and volunteers can suffer burnout quickly. A well-run shelter is as compassionate to its staff as it is to the animals, because one has a lot to bear on the treatment of the other. Look for a shelter where employees are helpful and knowledgeable and clearly interested in helping the shelter’s animals find responsible new homes.

The best shelters have a good handle on a cat’s history, health, and temperament before putting her up for adoption. They’ve also done what they can to enhance her chances of success in a new home through socialization and screening for the right home. They not only provide preadoption counseling but also offer behavioral advice after the adoption. Some even offer reduced-cost veterinary services for former shelter animals.

Look for ways to help the shelters that don’t measure up. Usually, it’s a question of money and volunteers, and you can do a lot to contribute in these categories. Contact your local shelter to find out how.