The pounds and shelters in the community of Fargo, N.D., did not kill any adoptable dogs or cats in 2013, according to the Humane Society of Fargo-Moorhead. Not one.
And you know what happens when shelters don’t kill healthy animals? They get community support! People are more likely to volunteer. They’re more likely to donate. They’re more likely to recommend the shelter as a welcoming place to visit and support.
One way I like to help support shelters like the HSFM is to help sponsor the adoption fees of some of the animals waiting for homes.
I am currently raising money through ThatMutt.com to sponsor the adoption fee of a black Lab/pitbull mix named Gemini up for adoption with the humane society. With her adoption fee reduced or covered entirely, Gemini has a greater chance of getting adopted faster, therefore making room at the shelter for a new dog. Update: Gemini has an adoption in the works!
I would like to give a special shout-out to CATS Cradle Shelter in Fargo for all its hard work making sure every adoptable cat made it out of the pounds alive in 2013.
For a more detailed look at Fargo’s pound statistics, you can see my post from last year on the 2012 pound stats or the humane society’s post on the 2013 stats. My heart goes out to the 100 or so impounded feral cats that were killed in 2013, according to the pound statistics.
davyd
Friday 17th of January 2014
Define adoptable. As this has no legal definition, this can included almost anything. Fargo according to the records did kill all ferals (17 cats altogether) which means these are not included. but what else isn't included in the "unadoptable" category? Regressive shelters will kill shy animals, animals that appear hostile but can be trained, black cats and dogs (yes, really) and more. By simply assessing homeless pets you don't want to go through the trouble of saving as "unadoptable" it is quite easy to save every "Adoptable" pet. Here are the numbers that matter: How many came in? How many left alive? How many left in a body bag? It can be more than 90% as shown by a lot of communities. See http://outthefrontdoor.com/
Lindsay Stordahl
Friday 17th of January 2014
Totally. All good points, and I agree 100 percent. I lived in Fargo for about 10 years, and I will say that the shelters, pounds and rescues do a wonderful job at saving all the adoptable animals, in my personal opinion. For example, I picked up and fostered a 12+ year old black Lab from one of the pounds and thought she maybe should be euthanized since she was in rough shape. They thought she should go into a foster home, and I was glad for that decision once I'd had her a few days.
Still, literally 100 percent of impounded feral cats are killed in Fargo, unless a rescue group happens to scoop one up and try to get it adopted (not ideal). So I agree more work needs to be done.
Thoughts?
You may be interested in my more-detailed post on the 2012 stats when I still lived in Fargo. I chose not to do a detailed post this year since I no longer live there:
http://www.thatmutt.com/2013/01/18/2012-pound-statistics-fargo-moorhead-west-fargo/
Teri Katrick
Friday 17th of January 2014
http://yesbiscuit.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/west-fargo-is-not-a-no-kill-city/
Lindsay Stordahl
Friday 17th of January 2014
The three Fargo-Moorhead pounds routinely kill all impounded feral cats, so I would not consider Fargo a no-kill city either. It is still able to have a live release rate above 90 percent, but killing the feral cats is a real shame.
I wrote a more detailed post on the 2012 stats, raising some of the same points. Definitely more work to be done, but it's absolutely wonderful that all the adoptable animals were saved in 2013 and all but two adoptable cats in 2012.
Teri, what are your thoughts?
http://www.thatmutt.com/2013/01/18/2012-pound-statistics-fargo-moorhead-west-fargo/
AuntSue
Thursday 16th of January 2014
Our Salt Lake Humane Society shelter had 100% of dogs adopted and 86% of cats adopted in 2012. Last year they completed the addition of CatCity, where the cats live in small groups in rooms full of large cat trees. Potential adopters can watch the cats through large glass walls. The shelter is planning that this year will be a 100% year for the cats as well. Next on their plan is to build a DogCity to improve the lives of the dogs. They are situated near a major freeway, and have an electronic board to hi-light animals. They do great outreach with tv station Pet of the Week and special promotions such as, Buy One Get One Free cats, black animal discount month, free older animals for adopters over 65, etc. Puppies, kittens and special need pets are fostered in private homes. All adopted cats and dogs are chipped, neutered and fully vaccinated. They have an on site clinic for public vaccinations and neuters at afordable prices, and a gift shop with collars, leads, toys, pill pockets, etc.
Lindsay Stordahl
Thursday 16th of January 2014
Such an inspiration! So good to hear! I'll have to follow the Salt Lake Humane Society for good ideas to share. Thanks!