Wilco Regional Animal Shelter needs 100 cats adopted or fostered to avoid euthanasia
The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter has not had to euthanize healthy animals since the year 2010, but that could soon change if they don't get some much-needed help with cats and kittens.
The shelter took to Facebook Wednesday and made a plea to the community asking for help.
Misty Valenta is the Community Programs Coordinator for the shelter, “Right now we are in a cat crisis, we have way more cats than we are able to car for.” She said the shelter hasn't euthanized a healthy animal for almost seven years now, “We're really proud of that, it's not something we're mandated to do, it's not something we have to do, it's something we want to do,” she said.
But if the cat catastrophe doesn't change soon euthanasia may be in the future.
Valenta said this year compared to last, they've had a thousand more cats enter the shelter. She thinks it may have something to do with the weather.
“We have had some really mild winters and that just gives cats the breeding ground.”
They now have more than 200 cats and kittens but only 93 kennels.
Harley and Ashley drove all the way from Buda to help free up some kennel space. “Dad doesn't know, but mom said yes, she said only get one. It's better than having them get taken away or get put down,” they said. But Valenta said as soon as some went out, more came in, “I saw a box of cats coming in, so it just doesn't stop.”
Valenta said they hope to get 100 adopted or fostered by the end of the weekend so they don't have to euthanize. They are looking for adopters and fosters.
Valenta said dogs are usually more adoptable she reminded everyone cats are much more self-sufficient, “You don't have to take a cat out on a walk; they are completely fine staying indoors.” But they still give the same unconditional fur-baby love.
The adoption fee is just one dollar for cats and kittens and that includes the spaying or neutering microchipping, as well as registering the microchip.