Finding forever homes: Part 2
Published on July 27, 2011
Making the world a kinder place, one kitty at a time
By Heather Killen
The Spectator
NovaNewsNow.com
Kelso the kitten has already used two of his nine lives just getting to the Kitty Cottage in Margaretsville.
Anna Clark, of the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), said that Kelso, a four-month-old kitten, was found alone with a hip fracture on the side of a road. The animal control officer in Annapolis County rescued the kitten after it was seen trying to walk and falling over.
Kelso is still in recovery and will be coming up for adoption in the next several weeks. He is one of 135 cats and two dogs currently being fostered by CAPS volunteers. This volunteer group was formed in December 2004 with a mandate to help abandoned and stray companion animals in Annapolis County.
Forever Homes
The Annapolis County Spectator is teaming up with local animal rescue groups like CAPS to help some of these animals find forever homes. Each week, we’ll feature an adoptable animal from one of the local animal rescue groups.
We’re introducing the groups and featuring some of the animals now in foster care. Whenever the animal control picks up stray cats and dogs, they are taken to the county pound, where they are held for about a week so that owners have a chance to reclaim them.
After a certain time, unclaimed animals are released into CAPS’ care, as space in foster homes permit. There is no animal shelter in Annapolis County, so homeless animals are taken in by volunteers.
If it weren’t for these volunteers who look after the strays, the animals would probably be euthanized. Animals are taken to the vet for a complete check-up and vaccinations and after a quarantine period, the animal is spayed or neutered and listed for adoption.
Lots of Kittens
Clark runs one of the larger foster care facilities in the county, with approximately 40 adoptable cats and one dog now in her care. On average her group takes in about 100 animals each year and finds homes for the majority of them.
Almost half of the animals they see every year are kittens and Clark estimates they will see at least 40 kittens this year. Already several litters have been brought in and often they are found abandoned and too many sad cases are not as lucky as Kelso.
Because CAPS has a no-kill policy, some of the animals have been with the group for several years. One notable example is Grand Dad, a 23-year-old cat who has been with CAPS almost from the beginning.
Clark and her husband finally adopted Grand Dad after the cat’s health began to deteriorate. His failing liver, kidneys, and heart condition made him a poor candidate for adoption and Clark said she didn’t want him to die an orphan.
“But he just keeps on going strong,” she said. “As long as we have a roof, so will they.”
Full-Time Job
Keeping a roof over all these animals is a full-time job for this retired teacher and her many dedicated volunteers. Clark says they’re fortunate to have the support of many good-hearted people who give their time and talent to these animals.
On August 13 the Above Par Golf Course in South Farmington is hosting a Golf Day in support of CAPS, donating green fees to the group. CAPS is also busy compiling the annual pet calendar, the proceeds from this project support the animals in care.
For more information on CAPS and the many animals looking for permanent homes, visit http://www.caps-annapolis.org. Or call Anna Clark at 825-2277, or email info@caps-annapolis.org.
Well then. Last week ASDR! This week CAPS! At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, this is a Very Good Thing.
Good for the adorable adoptable pets waiting for their ship to come in. Good for kind hearts considering pet adoption. At the end of the day, it is good community service for the Spectator to get this information out there for all the world to see!
As hard as it is for my facebook friends to imagine, there is a whole world of computer literate people out there who lead a full and complete life without facebook. Nor are they always inclined to visit the animal rescue and SPCA sites.
Mainstream media features are the most effective way to 'network' and reach more potential adopters / volunteers / supporters.
It is always important to remember that if only one percent of the estimated 350,000 households in this province woke up tomorrow morning and decided to adopt a pet, there actually might not be enough available in all the shelters and rescues for them!
What time is it? It is always time to remember that we don't need to change the whole world, we just need to wake up a few more kind hearts to get to No Kill Nova Scotia!
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