Animal shelter ends 2-for-1 cat adoptions

Thursday is the last day to adopt two felines for the price of one at the Bloomington Animal Shelter.

In celebration of June being American Humane Society’s National Adopt-a-Cat Month, and because cats breed in the spring and have kittens in the summer, the promotion continued through July.

Although traffic at the shelter is high, the number of felines purchased this summer has fallen. The slowdown in sales comes at a critical time for the shelter. 

“This year, especially with the flooding, they are at capacity,” said Daniel Lopez, City of Bloomington communications director. 

Despite permanent homes being ideal, fostering an animal until an owner is found frees up space at the shelter, Lopez said. 

If anyone is considering adding an animal to the family, adopting from the shelter saves lives and money, said Laurie Ringquist, director of the Animal Care and Control Division. 

Since the shelter does not have a veterinarian on staff, it can be difficult to obtain medications, as some companies only sell their products to staff vets.

The possibility of diseases spreading is also higher because so many animals reside in such a small area, which stresses their immune system. 

So, to ensure the felines are healthy and to acquire necessary products, the shelter works in conjunction with the Bloomington Cat Hospital. Vets visit the shelter at least once a week to check on the animals, said Dr. Elad Stotland, owner of the hospital.
“We want healthier cats from the get-go,” Stotland said. 

For animals adopted from the shelter, the first office visit is free. However, if further treatment is required, the owner must pay for it.

The Cat Hospital is currently offering 20 percent off several procedures as well.   

Regular adoption fees are $75 for a cat under age 5 and $55 for a cat age 5 or older. Included in the fee is spaying or neutering, vaccinations, micro-chipping and testing for feline leukemia and FIV, according to a press release.

Buying from a pet shop or responding to a free advertisement in the newspaper could leave the owner with more than $200 in veterinary expenses, Ringquist said. 

The tight economy and recent floods have left the shelter packed, and unfortunately some animals must be euthanized, Ringquist explained. 

“The biggest thing people could do is spay and neuter their pets, cats being the main concern,” Ringquist said.