Wednesday, September 22, 1999
Off-site adoptions turn strays to pets
Kenton shelter may expand program
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
CRESCENT SPRINGS — Two months after the Kenton County Animal Shelter started off-site adoptions, the program has been such a success it may expand.
“It's really helped our adoption rate,” said Aline Summe, shelter director. “And the exposure is wonderful. By putting animals in a business that's open evenings and weekends, more people get a chance to see the really nice animals that we have.”
Two months ago, a Kenton County Animal Shelter volunteer suggested the county try off-site adoptions for some of its hard to place animals.
The county started by placing four kittens — which tend to flood the shelter during the April to November breeding season — at the Complete Petmart store at Buttermilk Crossing in Crescent Springs. Store employees placed the kittens in cages by the front window.
Since late July, about 30 cats and kittens have been adopted through the store, Ms. Summe said.
“We're right next door to the Outback restaurant, so we get a lot of browsers waiting for their tables at the restaurant,” said Melanie Frank, manager of Complete Petmart.
On Tuesday afternoon, a lone gray and white kitten frolicked in his cage at Complete Petmart. A fishbowl atop his cage was stuffed with monetary donations for the Kenton County Animal Shelter, while a nearby box was filled with pet food and other shelter donations.
“We had four kittens on Saturday night, but they go really quickly,” said employee Daniela Craig. “They usually get adopted within a week.” For a $56 fee, all animals adopted through the store are spayed and neutered, have had their first set of vaccinations, and have a microchip inserted for identification purposes. The fee also includes a cardboard carrier, collar and tag.
Store employees fax the shelter the necessary paperwork, so new owners don't even have to set foot in the animal shelter, Ms. Summe said.
“So many people have a negative feeling about shelters,” Ms. Summe said. “But when they visit a store like Petmart, they're seeing these really healthy, happy animals.”
An animal lover herself, Ms. Frank first started off-site adoptions for Animal Welfare of Northern Kentucky a year ago, after first holding fund-raisers for the group. Since then, her store has placed 150 animals for Animal Welfare.
Ms. Frank said the store benefits by adding another longtime customer for pet supplies each time an animal is adopted. The practice also benefits the animals, because more are adopted, and fewer have to be euthanized, she said.
This year, the shelter saw 24 percent of its cats and kittens adopted from May through August, cats' four heaviest breeding months, Ms. Summe said. That compares to a 13 percent adoption rate for the same four months during the previous three years, she said.
Euthanasia rates for cats and kittens also dropped during the same period — from 85 percent to 74 percent.
Ms. Frank said off-site pet adoptions are encouraged by her employer, which has run similar programs in other cities.
“I'm just thrilled to death that she's doing this,” Ms. Summe said. “It's really making a difference in our adoption and euthanasia rates.”
To take part in the Kenton County Animal Shelter's off-site adoption program, contact Aline Summe, shelter director, at 356-7400. The shelter also welcomes contributions of blankets, food, litter and cash.
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