Animal welfare group targeting drop in cat euthanizations
Feb 10, 2014, 3:58 PM | Updated: 3:58 pm
PHOENIX — Since forming an alliance last year, seven animal welfare groups have increased adoptions and sterilization and decreased euthanasia.
Their campaign, Fix.Adopt.Save., involves a three-year plan to address the Valley’s homeless animal population. According to the alliance, an average of 100 animals are adopted from Valley shelters each day while 100 more are euthanized.
“Cats represent by far the majority of animals that are euthanized because we don’t have enough homes or because they’re too ill,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, president and CEO of the Arizona Humane Society.
This year the campaign will focus on trapping, neutering and releasing free-roaming, primarily feral cats in certain areas of Glendale, Phoenix and Mesa.
Some of the highlights from the campaigns first year include:
• 3,460 fewer animals entered shelters
• 1,478 more animals adopted
• 41,676 spay/neuter procedures, an 11 percent increase from 2012
The groups involved in Fix.Adopt.Save include:
• Altered Tails Barnhart Clinic
• Animal Defense League of Arizona
• Arizona Animal Welfare League
• Arizona Humane Society
• HALO Animal Rescue
• Maricopa County Animal Care and Control
• PACC911 (Phoenix Animal Care Coalition)
