The Yavapai Humane Society(YHS) is in the midst of a 15-day Monsoon Madness Adopt-a-thon - the purpose of which is to help alleviate the overcrowding in our shelters that resulted from the thunderous monsoons, 4th of July fireworks, and other summertime activities that frighten pets into running away from home.
During the YHS Monsoon Madness Adopt-a-thon, YHS is open every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of Sunday, Aug. 3 and features "Pick Your Price" - which means you get to choose the adoption fee - so don't delay; adopt today.
We are trying to reduce overcrowding without resorting to euthanasia (killing) - a feat we've managed for nearly four years. However, this summer presented an alarming challenge to that objective due to a rapid influx of lost and homeless animals.
The good news is Monsoon Madness has reduced our shelter population by 16 percent. That represents 110 adoptions since the start of the event on July 18.
If that number causes you to think you're too late to find your perfect pet, you needn't worry - YHS places new animals for adoption every day. If you don't find the perfect pet today, return every day or two to visit all the new animals. Since July 18, YHS rescued 86 animals who now need homes. 110 adopted animals going to a new home compared to 86 homeless animals impounded. That's how YHS measures success - more animals going home than rescued.
People ask, if Pick Your Price Adoptions are so successful, why not make Pick Your Price available year-round? The decision to offer animals at reduced rates takes many factors into consideration. YHS invests on average over $400 in every animal; and while our regular adoption fees ($25 to $120) only recover a fraction of that cost, every little bit helps.
A new pet from YHS comes with 30 days of health insurance ($8.95); a virus combo vaccination ($17.50); a microchip ($35); a physical exam ($47); flea treatment if needed ($17.50); rabies vaccination ($20); ear-mite exam and treatment if needed ($92); spay/neuter surgery ($139); and de-worming ($26). That's over $400 in value and doesn't even include the priceless satisfaction you get from knowing you saved a life.
And that $400 doesn't begin to cover the costly medical care and/or behavioral rehabilitation many animals receive. So, when YHS makes animals available for reduced prices it is after we weigh the cost of our investment against the continuing costs of sheltering animals and the need to create space for the daily stream of incoming animals.
The challenge YHS faces every day is to save as many lives as we responsibly can while making room for the many homeless animals we rescue each day - and to do that without resorting to euthanasia or busting the budget. That is not easy to do. In fact, I'm not aware of any open admission animal shelter in the nation that has successfully wrestled this juggernaut to the ground four years in a row; causing me to pause and thank again the wonderful employees, volunteers, and supporters of YHS who make this miracle possible.
I'm also thankful to the many adopters who came, and will yet come, to YHS this summer to adopt an animal and choose to pay more, sometimes much more, than our regular adoption fees; you are true partners in YHS' life-saving mission.
You can see pictures of many of our happy adopters with their new pets on our Facebook Page - which we encourage you to "Like" to stay informed about YHS news and events.
Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.
During the YHS Monsoon Madness Adopt-a-thon, YHS is open every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of Sunday, Aug. 3 and features "Pick Your Price" - which means you get to choose the adoption fee - so don't delay; adopt today.
We are trying to reduce overcrowding without resorting to euthanasia (killing) - a feat we've managed for nearly four years. However, this summer presented an alarming challenge to that objective due to a rapid influx of lost and homeless animals.
The good news is Monsoon Madness has reduced our shelter population by 16 percent. That represents 110 adoptions since the start of the event on July 18.
If that number causes you to think you're too late to find your perfect pet, you needn't worry - YHS places new animals for adoption every day. If you don't find the perfect pet today, return every day or two to visit all the new animals. Since July 18, YHS rescued 86 animals who now need homes. 110 adopted animals going to a new home compared to 86 homeless animals impounded. That's how YHS measures success - more animals going home than rescued.
People ask, if Pick Your Price Adoptions are so successful, why not make Pick Your Price available year-round? The decision to offer animals at reduced rates takes many factors into consideration. YHS invests on average over $400 in every animal; and while our regular adoption fees ($25 to $120) only recover a fraction of that cost, every little bit helps.
A new pet from YHS comes with 30 days of health insurance ($8.95); a virus combo vaccination ($17.50); a microchip ($35); a physical exam ($47); flea treatment if needed ($17.50); rabies vaccination ($20); ear-mite exam and treatment if needed ($92); spay/neuter surgery ($139); and de-worming ($26). That's over $400 in value and doesn't even include the priceless satisfaction you get from knowing you saved a life.
And that $400 doesn't begin to cover the costly medical care and/or behavioral rehabilitation many animals receive. So, when YHS makes animals available for reduced prices it is after we weigh the cost of our investment against the continuing costs of sheltering animals and the need to create space for the daily stream of incoming animals.
The challenge YHS faces every day is to save as many lives as we responsibly can while making room for the many homeless animals we rescue each day - and to do that without resorting to euthanasia or busting the budget. That is not easy to do. In fact, I'm not aware of any open admission animal shelter in the nation that has successfully wrestled this juggernaut to the ground four years in a row; causing me to pause and thank again the wonderful employees, volunteers, and supporters of YHS who make this miracle possible.
I'm also thankful to the many adopters who came, and will yet come, to YHS this summer to adopt an animal and choose to pay more, sometimes much more, than our regular adoption fees; you are true partners in YHS' life-saving mission.
You can see pictures of many of our happy adopters with their new pets on our Facebook Page - which we encourage you to "Like" to stay informed about YHS news and events.
Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.
No comments:
Post a Comment