Foothills Humane Society urging adoptions for recent overcrowding

Published 8:00 am Thursday, June 14, 2018

Fourty-four cats and kittens of various age, sizes and colors squeezed into the Foothills Humane Society of Columbus between Monday June 4, and Friday, June 8, 33 of which showed up on Wednesday and Thursday, adding to the already sheltered felines.

“As a private, no-kill shelter, we do not euthanize to create space,” said Executive Director Christine Taylor. “So, after our initial surprise, the staff and volunteers took a deep breath and got to work. We’re asking for potential adopters, and people who may have been delaying adoption, to act right away. June happens to be National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, and now, coincidentally, we have a very big selection.”

Board President Susan Wallahora gives additional reasons for immediate adoption.

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“We have a substantial investment in each cat and kitten, but with the crowd that’s here now, we’re offering a dramatically low adoption price through June. As part of our Adopt with Assurance policy, every cat or dog comes with a spay or neuter, up-to-date vaccinations, implanted microchip, illnesses identified and treated, socialization by trained staff, follow-up advice and the guarantee that, if you don’t lose your heart, your pet will be welcomed back.”

“No matter how hard the staff and volunteers work at the Foothills Humane Society, the space keeps filling with rescues,” said Polk County Animal Control Officer Patti Lovelace after observing the overflow of cats and kittens she was bringing to the shelter. “The shelter has Pet Fix, a low cost spay and neuter voucher program, but for that to work education is critical and, of course, the personal responsibility of owners.”

Board secretary, longest serving board member and an active volunteer since 1996, Steve King, agrees.

“We have many volunteers to help and many foster homes willing to open their doors, but we always need more, and from experience, I know the best immediate solution to crowding is adoption,” King said.

For more information, contact the Foothills Humane Society of Columbus at www.foothillshumanesociety.org, 828-863-4444 or visit at 989 Little Mountain Road, Columbus.

-Submitted by Vincent Verrecchio