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Adoption by donation leads to large number of cats finding homes from Red Deer SPCA

So far the new year has brought good news for the Red Deer and District SPCA, a successful cat adoption campaign and better transit access for its volunteers and staff.
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So far the new year has brought good news for the Red Deer and District SPCA, a successful cat adoption campaign and better transit access for its volunteers and staff.

Just days before the end of 2016, the City of Red Deer added a bus stop just outside of the SPCA on a three month trial basis.

The bus stop was something the organization has wanted for a while, said animal care manager Shelli Steeves.

“It will enable anyone to come down to the SPCA, 4505 77th St., and enjoy the animals and hopefully adopt,” said Steeves.

Up until the new stop was put in, the bus would only go as far as the Olymel plant on Riverside Drive. This left volunteers and staff with a fair walk left until they arrived at their final destination.

“We’re kind of tucked down in the bottom corner here,” said Steeves. “We do have special needs volunteers. Our volunteers range greatly in age and this bus stop will enable them to get here more. It’s pretty much just outside our parking lot.”

Closing out year, Steeves said intakes have been steady.

“You always have to large concern of animals with frostbite,” said Steeves. “We had a couple of cases of frostbite on cats ears, but not too many on dogs. But, it’s always a big concern when it gets this cold.”

Recent adoptions have been quiet for dogs and Steeves said they have a couple of long-term canines they want to send to a good home.

But the good news for the SPCA recently is the success of their adoption by donation program for cat adoptions. Instead of paying the adoption fee — which covers vaccinations, de-worming, microchipping, spaying and neutering and health check — for a cat, people were asked to donate what they could for the cat.

“That went over with flying colours,” said Steeves. “We adopted out a huge amount of cats.”

The adoptions left only three long-term SPCA residents Steeves had hoped to find homes for. The promotion will be extended, hoping to find homes for even more cats.

The success of the program has also allowed the SPCA to intake more cats from its waiting list.

mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com