The Ames Animal Shelter is better prepared to fight disease and illness thanks to a big donation.
The facility is one of 20 animal welfare organizations nationwide selected to receive a pet grant from Zoetis and Adopt A Pet aimed at improving access to pet care and resources.
The Ames Animal Shelter will receive $40,000 worth of dog and cat preventative products to repel fleas, ticks, and heartworms for cats and dogs. The grant also covers some basic vaccines and antibiotics needed to support healthy shelter pets.
“We are thrilled to be selected as a grant recipient by Zoetis and to receive this incredibly generous gift,” Ames Animal Shelter and Animal Control Supervisor Ron Edwards said in a city press release. “In our application, we explained the importance of having access to essential health care items to keep our animals safe and available for adoption.”
Cases of hoarding spark widespread outbreaks
The Ames Animal Shelter has experienced an influx of visitors due to recent animal hoarding cases.
Recently, a local facility rescued 27 cats from unsanitary living conditions. The cats were treated for parasite infections, ear mites and upper respiratory infections.
The shelter also experienced an outbreak of feline panleukopenia last year, requiring disease-preventing drugs, which can be costly.
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Great products provided by the new partnership
Zoetis was founded in 1952. The animal health company discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and other technologies for pets and livestock.
Adopt A Pet is an adoption web service that gathers information from more than 15,000 in the US and Canada to promote pet adoption.
Pet care product grants from Zoetis and Adopt A Pet’s partnership were introduced this year.
“Zoetis is very proud to launch this grant program and support these animal welfare organizations who work tirelessly to keep pets safe and healthy as they transition to their forever homes,” said Ester Banque, Zoetis’ executive vice president and president of US Operations. in a city statement.
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Shelter regains no-kill status
Best Friends Animal Society has again recognized the Ames Animal Shelter for reaching no-kill status by 2023. The shelter’s live release rate for all pets by 2023 is approximately 98%.
The shelter was also awarded last year for its 2022 save rate, which is also 98%.
“I am extremely proud of this achievement as well as the compassion and dedication of our team at the Ames Animal Shelter,” said Edwards. “We strive every year to meet the needs of any animal that comes to our shelter.”
The national nonprofit requires a shelter to have a save rate of at least 90% to be recognized by Best Friends Animal Society. This accounts for approximately 10% of animals that arrive with serious medical or behavioral issues.
Edwards said the no-kill recognition reflects the “incredible dedication” of the team at the Ames Animal Shelter, especially in the midst of an outbreak of feline panleukopenia and a smattering of other difficulties.
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Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. He can be reached at [email protected].