Hundreds of cats find new homes

DOWNEY - Nearly 300 cats were adopted into new homes recently on the first day of the "Cat Days of Summer" campaign throughout Los Angeles County.Organized by the Found Animals Foundation, the one-day event placed 496 animals into new homes, including 274 cats. County-wide, 55 percent of all pet adoptions on June 18 were cats, marking the first time Los Angeles-area shelters sent home more cats than dogs. Los Angeles Animal Services led all pet adoptions by placing 270 animals into new homes, including 135 cats. They were followed by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control with 148 adoptions, 84 of which were cats. The Southeast Area Animal Control Authority came away with 39 pet adoptions, 23 of which were cats, and the Burbank Animal Shelter adopted out 29 pets, including 25 cats. The Found Animals' retail space, Adopt & Shop, sent home 10 animals, four of which were cats, including a special pair of longtime residents: Mork and Mindy - two adult tuxedo cats. "Cats are the real underdogs in our shelters, particularly during 'kitten season,' when our local shelters are brimming with adoptable kittens," said Aimee Gilbreath, executive director of Found Animals. "The Adopt-a-Thon was intended to kick-start our greater Cat Days of Summer campaign of promotions that will run throughout summer, and beyond." The Found Animals Foundation is also sponsoring low-cost cat sterilizations. For a limited time, neutering male cats cost $15, and spaying female cats cost $25, with no income qualification required. The discount launched June 1 and will continue until September or until 3,000 cats have been spay or neutered. To date, more than 820 cats have been altered. The closest participating veterinarian participating in the low-cost spay-neuter promotion is in Pico Rivera. For more information, call (562) 942-2640.

********** Published: June 30, 2011 - Volume 11 - Issue 10