There's a cat adoption deficit.
So the Animal Allies Humane Society has a stimulus plan for you.
Animal Allies this month announced the "Campaign for Zero," an effort to end euthanasia of healthy pets in Duluth. But the campaign is running a bit short so far when it comes to cats, said Jim Filby Williams, executive director of Animal Allies.
So far, no cats have been euthanized, Williams said. The organization has other steps that can be taken, such as placing cats in foster homes. But "we're beginning to max out," he said. "It's not sustainable. We're on a path that sooner rather than later will necessitate euthanasia."
Animal Allies found homes for 31 cats last week, Williams said. But Animal Allies estimates it needs to adopt out 35 cats each week for the rest of the year to avoid euthanizing any.
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That's where the stimulus comes in.
Through July 31, Animal Allies is offering "Double the Love," meaning you can adopt one cat and get a second cat at no additional charge, the release said. And the adoption fee for the first cat already comes at a reduced rate of $25 or $75, thanks to sponsorship from Maurices. That's down from fees ranging from $50 to $115.
Animal Allies estimates between 900 and 1,000 homeless cats will come into Duluth shelters in the last six months of the year.
There's no similar crisis for dogs. In fact, there are more Duluth-area dog adopters than there are homeless dogs in Duluth, Williams said.
"The thrust of the Campaign for Zero is to make it easy and affordable for Duluthians to do good deeds for pets, particularly adoption," Animal Allies shelter director Linda Baumgarth said in a news release. "Double the Love takes that principle as far as we can afford it."
