On 2 Sep, 08:57, "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER
wrote:
"Sherry" wrote in message

ups.com...





On Sep 2, 12:15 am, "Sheelagh o"
wrote:
I have noticed over several months that many of our American friends
are
involved in Petsmart adoption days @ Petsmart. Would I be right in
assuming
that rescue dogs & cats are available for adoption on Saturdays &
Sundays?
How does this work? Does it mean that each shelter gets the chance to
put up
their most needy for adoption, or their most easy to home animals?
Also, how
do you all feel about this? ( I remember recently that Wendy went to
pick
some up after their trip to Petsmart, this is why I am asking the
question.)

This is how our Petsmart adoptions work; keep in mind I'm not sure
whether all
stores have the same policies.
Petsmart simply gives the store space rent-free to a local rescue org.
They bring animals in
from the shelter, and from foster homes, on weekends for "adoptions".
During the week, and
any other time, there's an area of cages in the stores for a few cats
chosen to stay there. It's
called "multi-cat". They are cared for by the rescue volunteers or
staff. Petsmart donates food and
litter.
Petsmart does not sell cats, or dogs. The adoptions are through the
rescue agency. The same strict
screening applies to potential adoptors the same as if they were
adopting from the regular shelter location.
Adoption fees apply, usuall around $70-$100. The animals are already
neutered and are vet-checked
and current on their vaccinations.

It is a wonderful opportunity for these animals to get far more
exposure than they would advertised from
foster homes, or in the shelter.

Our Petsmart also donates bags of litter that may have damaged
packaging, and the same for food, for foster families
to use at home.

That's how it works here, too. We have both PetSmart and PetSense, and they
have similar arrangements. Both have been excellent sources for adoptions
from our local Alley Cats Allies. Kittens and adoptable cats are fostered
first to socialize them, then are available from Adopt-a-Thons that are held
twice a month through either PetSmart and PetSense. Adoptive "parents" sign
an agreement to return the cats if they are unable to keep them, and they
agree not to have them declawed. All cats are spay/neutered and
vetted/innoculated *before* adoption. That's how I became a "sponsor mom"
to two kittens this summer -- I did not adopt or foster them, but I paid for
their veterinary bills so they could be fostered and then placed through the
Adopt-a-Thons. Carmen was quickly adopted, but Chelsea has not yet been
adopted. I wish they could have been adopted as a pair, but Carmen is in a
home where she is already "queen of the household," and Chelsea will be
fostered until an adoptive home can be found.

MaryL- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Oh that is really nice Mary. I'm sorry that they couldn't be homed
together too. It's a shame, but better one is homed than neither for
waiting for a home that might come along. This sponsoring sounds like
the ideal Christmas gift for the mother who has everything she ever
wanted (within reason that is!!)....

If you read my reply to sherry, you will note that I did mean to say
adopt, rather than buy. It is an excellent idea, so I am asking if
anyone knows of any stumbling block that we might come across, please
do feel free to point it out? The more prepared we are when presenting
our case, the easier it will be for us to get them to agree with us.
As far as I am aware, there is no law preventing adoptions in shop, so
as long as we can get round that obstacle, things should go in our
favour.

We also have similar adoption schemes to the one that you describe. We
find that children are the most generous believe it or not. They make
a covenant to donate x amount every month from their accounts, & we
send them letters from the cats & up to date photos every quarter as
well. The wonderful thing is, that the kids write back to their chosen
cat's. it's really sweet. I have just volunteered to respond to
letters recently. I never had the confidence until now to try & give
it a go, but I figure with a spell checker, & a few kids to point out
my bad grammar, I should be able to to this without too many hitches,
lol )

Thank you for your story Mary & for the pointers, guides &
explanations as well. They really are helpful
Best Wishes,
Sheelagh "o"