Logo

The past, present and future of the community cat shelter

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive
 

061622 community cat shelter

By Kathy Taylor

After more than 20 years of volunteering full-time at the Woodville Animal Shelter Community Cat Facility, I am stepping back from my current role at the shelter by the end of 2022.

In the weeks to come, I will propose effective and humane ways we can make our community a better place for both people and cats while relying less on our over-burdened animal control department and municipal shelter. Since municipal animal shelters are historically under-funded, community-based solutions are critical to achieve life-saving results for animals.

Established as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit in 2005, the all-volunteer Woodville Animal Shelter for cats has been working for more than 20 years to improve the well-being of cats and kittens in our community. The Cat Shelter partnered with the City of Woodville and the city’s animal control department, and operates on city property in portable buildings purchased by volunteers.

The city provides water and weekly trash pick-up. The organization receives no funding from the city, county or state, and is completely dependent on donations to subsidize operating expenses including electricity, supplies and veterinary medicines. In addition, all equipment used for the care and handling of cats, including stainless-steel kennels and humane traps, was purchased by the organization at no cost to the taxpayers.

Hundreds of hours in shelter medicine and standards of care training help to ensure sheltered cats and kittens receive the best care possible on a shoestring budget.

Three out of four people say it should be illegal to kill animals if the animal is healthy or treatable. The Woodville Community Cat Shelter has been a no-kill shelter since inception.

With the support of Woodville residents and municipal leaders, we can ensure that ours will remain a life-saving community for decades to come.
Next week I will describe programs being used across the country to successfully manage community cat populations and reduce shelter intake.

These programs save lives and taxpayer dollars.

Together we can make our community a better place for both people and cats.

Say something here...
symbols left.
You are a guest
or post as a guest
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.

Be the first to comment.

Polk County Publishing Company