Austin animal welfare organizations collaborate to save hundreds of feline lives this summer

For immediate release
May 30, 2008

Austin Humane Society and Town Lake Animal Center roll out new summer programs for increased adoptions

Austin, Texas - The Austin Humane Society (AHS) and Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC) are gearing up to celebrate "Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Summer." This year, the two organizations plan to save the lives of at least 1,500 cats and kittens, with special promotions throughout the months of June, July and August.

All summer long, beginning Sunday, June 1, adoption fees for kittens and cats under the age of five will be reduced to just $35 (usually $75 -$85). Cats more than 5 years old will have their adoption fees waived.

"This is a brand new program for Austin, although shelters all over the country have had wonderful success with waived adoption fees for adult cats," said Frances Jonon, Austin Humane Society Executive Director. "During the summer months when TLAC and AHS are bursting at the seams with cats and kittens, it just makes sense to initiate these life saving programs and to make every effort to draw attention to our hundreds of wonderful older cats. In the last two weeks, AHS alone has taken in more than 200 cats and kittens, almost three times the amount than during any two week period the rest of the year."

Last year’s "Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Summer" yielded just over 1,300 adoptions between the two organizations. This year, TLAC and AHS plan to break that record and find homes for at least 1,500 cats and kittens during the months of June, July and August. In addition to the satisfaction of knowing that you have saved a life by adopting a cat from a shelter, your reduced cat or kitten adoption fee also will include:

• Up to date vaccinations
• Spay or neuter surgery
• A microchip for permanent identification
• An elastic safety collar and tags
• A cardboard carrier so you can take your cat home safely
• Staff support if you have questions or comments about your pet

A special educational theme for the summer is "Keeping Cats Safe Outdoors."

"Cats face a lot of serious dangers if they are allowed outdoors unsupervised, so it’s best to keep them mainly indoors," says Amber Rowland, TLAC Adoption Program Manager. "But if your kitty has an adventurous spirit or an appetite for lounging in the grass and sniffing the flowers, the right tools will let you and your cat enjoy the outdoors safely." Beginning in June, both shelters will have new informational fliers available about great ways to keep kitties safe while outdoors.

To continue the momentum throughout the summer, TLAC and AHS will continue with the special pricing during July and August, and also will announce additional special promotions for each month of "Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Summer."

Town Lake Animal Center is a program of the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department. The center is between MoPac and Lamar Boulevard, on the north shore of Lady Bird Lake. The shelter is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center’s Web site address is http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/health/animal_services.htm.

The Austin Humane Society is a private 501 3c organization at 124 W. Anderson Lane. It is open noon to 7 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Austin Humane Society is closed on Tuesdays. Contact (512) 646-PETS (7387) or visit www.austinhumanesociety.org for more information.

Contact:
Lisa Starr, Austin Human Society, (512) 751-1449 or lstarr@austinhumanesociety.org
Amber Rowland, Health and Human Services, (512) 809-6857 (cell)