01/29/2007: "Seniors-4-Seniors"

by Chris Sly-Prochnow

The Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor (APS) has announced a new community outreach program for 2007, called: "Seniors-4-Seniors", and will make a full presentation in Friday Harbor, at the Mullis Center luncheon on Monday, January 29.The new program is based on the simple fact that every year the APS takes in more adult cats than they can place in available homes.

Unfortunately many of the older cats are overlooked when it comes to the possibility of permanent adoption, because "kittens are cuter". This creates challenges when housing these animals, as the APS is a "no kill" facility. This means that they do not euthanize adoptable animals in order to make space for new arrivals. More often than not APC finds they are at, or above, the capacity of the shelter to receive animals; and this causes extreme stress for the animals; as well as for the staff and volunteers.

The truth of the matter is that there are just more cats available than there are available homes, but the APS believes that there are also some Island seniors who would like the company of a companion pet, without the obligation of a long term adoption. The goal of the program is to pair Island seniors who would like the company of a feline companion, with one of the older shelter cats.

The benefits of this type of a relationship are many fold. First, the Island senior would have the companionship of a one-on-one relationship with the cat. Secondly, the cat would have his or her own person to bond with and love. Last, but not least, each party to the relationship would find benefits beyond description, as anyone who has shared their lives with animal companions in the past can attest to.

It is the intent of the APS that each foster to be arranged on an individual basis, pairing the personalities and needs of each Island senior with the appropriate foster cat. For those individuals who are concerned that health issues may prevent them from participating in this program, the APS is ready and willing to step in and fill the void should the senior be unable to continue caring for their foster companion.

If this program appeals to you please attend a presentation at the Mullis Center luncheon on Monday, January 29, 2007, or contact your Shelter at 378-2158 and speak with Shelter Director Leslie Byron.

(Chris Sly-Prochnow is the President of the Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor)