MOUNT VERNON — Since reopening in January after cleanup and renovation, the cat shelter of the Knox County Humane Society has released some information regarding its handling of the Knox County cat population.
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Cat shelter investigation continues – January 16, 2010
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Statistics provided by the shelter show it is getting an average of four surrenders a day. These figures cover a period from Jan. 1 through May 19 of this year.
A new program with the cat shelter is a feline rescue program. Developed by long-time volunteer Sandy Drenning, the program’s goals are similar to the Rescue Waggin’ canine program, which was created by PetSmart Charities to help save the lives of homeless dogs and puppies by transporting them from areas of high pet population to shelters where adoptable dogs are in demand.
“It’s a feline rescue program,” said Drenning, “and I have some contacts that I started with. Some of these rescue programs, I’m finding out, tend to be purebred. Unfortunately, we are getting a lot of farm cats around here. But there is a rescue program in Cleveland that takes older cats and special needs cats. Right now it is full but I do want to stay in contact with [the operator of the facility].
“Right now our special needs cats are part of our Lonely Hearts program,” continued Drenning. “These are not usually cats that can go into homes with a lot of other cats. They do need special attention. Sometimes they are shy. Sometimes they are fearful. So maybe they can take two or three, if we can’t move them through our special promotion.”
Drenning said she is trying to get as much information as she can on other feline rescue programs, both inside and outside the state. She said she thinks feline rescue will be different from canine rescue.
“I think the availability of space will be a concern,” she said. “There’s just more of an overpopulation of cats than there is of dogs.”
