The Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown is not in a position to absorb cats at its shelter on account of it being at capability.
“We have 100 cats in the shelter and 21 more in foster homes,” stated Executive Director Austin Gillis. “We don’t have any empty kennels. We ended up setting up wire dog kennels in our conference room for adoptables to still have the exposure to the public. We have so many cats, we’re actually overflowing a smidge.”
Unless the cat is experiencing an emergency scenario, Gillis asks the general public to think about taking the feline to a distinct shelter or rescue group.
“If you call around, people will tell you they’re full too,” he stated. “Contact some smaller rescues including Diamond in the Ruff Rescue here. They’re wonderful at networking. If you’re able to hold onto the cat for a little while and send a photo and information, they can see if anybody is looking to adopt.”
Gillis stated the shelter is filled with dogs, too.
“We’re not taking anymore in from outside the county at the moment,” he stated. “We have to have some space open per our contract with the city for strays that come in.”
He stated the winter months — particularly chilly spells — see extra folks bringing animals to the ARL out of concern for his or her wellbeing.
“Along with that, I’ve been starting to notice that a lot of people getting back into the workforce post-COVID don’t have the time for the animal anymore, not being at home,” he stated.
The ARL is looking for foster households to assist unencumber area. It is allowed to have as much as 40 foster houses at a time per the necessities of its land stewardship settlement by means of the Department of Agriculture.
“I would say we have nine foster homes now,” he added.
While financial donations are all the time accepted, the shelter has modified its coverage concerning donations of cat meals.
At the top of 2023, it signed a contract with Hill’s Science Diet.
“It’s an exclusivity contract, so we only feed that food to our shelter animals,” he stated.
Any donations that are available in not of that model, are used for the cell pet meals pantry or given to folks in the neighborhood struggling to buy pet meals.
“We’re getting such a huge discount from Hill’s Science Diet that we can make your dollar go much farther if we order it, versus somebody buying it from the store and then bringing it in,” he stated.
Donations of cat litter are all the time being accepted.
While it normally prices $35 to undertake a cat, the ARL of Marshalltown is holding a Valentine’s Day particular now by means of February 16. Cats now cost simply $14 every.
“So far, that’s been working out pretty good. I think we had five or six go out on Saturday, but then three more cats came in on Tuesday, so it’s like two steps forward and one step back,” Gillis stated.
Dogs common $125 to undertake. Puppies (dogs beneath six months old) promote for $200. Senior dogs go for $75.
He famous it’s cheaper to undertake a cat from the ARL than accepting one free of charge from a personal individual.
“It could cost you possibly a couple hundred dollars to get it fixed, vaccinated and microchipped. Whereas if you come to us, you can adopt one and have that already taken care of,” he stated.
Mark your calendars for the ARL’s annual Furr Ball fundraiser, which can take place from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on March 23 at Midnight Garden. There can be a stay and silent public sale, visitor audio system and leisure. Details to return.
“I just want to say thank you to the community for all the support,” Gillis stated.
For adoption inquiries, fostering alternatives or to donate, contact the ARL at 641-753-9046 or cease by the shelter at 1921 Taylor Avenue in Marshalltown.
