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YVAS, Big Donation, Priorities Askew?
Posted by: jn at 2:22PM MT on July 13, 2009
According to Matt's article this morning in the Gazette regarding the city council meeting tonite, the council is set to approve a rather large donation for the YVAS. The YVAS claims they plan to use the majority of the money to build outdoor kennels for the dogs, and the remainder to improve the building's air quality.
"The council is also slated to accept a $94,051 donation from the Phyllis Forshay Trust intended for the city animal shelter, which is run by the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter. City rules require that the council approve any donations over $500. YVAS officials said they plan to use most of the money to build fenced outdoor dog pens at the back of the shelter. The rest of the money will be used to improve air quality in the building." I love dogs, I really do. I also strongly advocate for improving shelter environments for pets in various areas such as visiting, interacting with the pets, allowing the pets to play and exercise, and even going so far as to create private rooms for the meeting of pets and the adoption process (as funding permits). Of course, quality air control is crucial, since without it, the environment can breed nasty pathogens and spread airborne diseases quicker than you can imagine. There is an isolation ward for the purpose of isolating sick pets, that room should be the most well-maintained room that has the best air quality control in the building, as well as the treatment room, surgery room and recovery room. I would have assumed when the building was built brand new, air quality was taken under heavy advisement and I assume quality standards were met. The dog kennels are well-sized, well maintained, they are more than sufficient, at least for an animal shelter environment. Likewise, the cat room is well-maintained and sufficient. The "stray cat" room on the other hand, in my opinion, could use some improvements. It is small, dark, the cats do not get to view much of anything interesting other than the opposite wall and the door that leads to the room. When I was there last, the lights were even turned off, in the middle of the day. There is no window in the stray cat room in which to view out of, unlike the other cat room. Neither room has any cat-related niceties, such as colorful walls, cat-safe plants or greenery, nor a special cat containment system to allow one or more cats together at any given time to play or exercise outside of their cages. Even without a containment system, which is unnecessary with healthy cats mingling together, there is room to allow a few niceties. With a non-existent or at best, a limited number of staff and volunteers, it is very unlikely the cats get a relief from their cramped cage quarters to play or exercise, short of time spent between cleaning cages and rotating cats. Both the dog kennels and cat rooms are quite sterile-looking. There is nothing wrong with a sterile environment, in terms of cleanliness and sufficiency, we'd expect nothing less for any animal shelter. However, shelter pets need an interesting environment to calm them, to stimulate their senses, to improve health and keep them happy. A stimulating environment also gives the impression to visitors and potential adopters that you care enough about the less-fortunate and want to improve their lives, which in turn, a happy and healthy pet increases the likelihood of adoption. Likewise, first impressions are everything. Pleased visitors will continue to recommend you to their family and friends and will be more likely to support you with donations, volunteerism. I remember the YVAS stating quite emphatically, early in the contract negotiations, that they wished to provide a special cat room for cats to interact, exercise and play which would create a more friendly atmosphere both for the cats and potential adopters to interact with the cats. So, gee, might you spare a little for the cats too? You know, those at full capacity, those you're sending on to Help For Homeless Pets because you're out of room, those who might appreciate a bit of attention as well. As I have said several times elsewhere on the blog, cats exceed the number of dogs in most shelters. Since the YVAS took over the shelter in late March, the statistics have not changed, cats overwhelmingly outnumber the dogs. Kitten season increases the number significantly. Assuming the YVAS still plans to add an addition at some point for a special cat play/adoption area, why not provide at least a little something for the cats now? Is it too time-consuming to water a couple cat-safe plants? How about a little color in the rooms? How about a scratching post, a kitty jungle-gym? How about a play mat on the floor instead of hard tile or concrete? How about something like this?  Or this?  Notice the space-saving effect? Notice the friendly eye-catching colors? Notice the cats thoroughly enjoying themselves? Or how about an outdoor containment system for the cats who deserve fresh air and sunshine, room to play and exercise too, especially for those cats languishing in the shelter for months?  A shelter in FL paid $2,500 for this outdoor cat space addition, which includes shade cloth to shade the pets in the summer. The Sheriff's Department helped with providing some prison labor to construct some climbing benches and other equipment for the cats. Toss in a play mat, a couple scratching posts, a cat tree, potted catnip and watch the fun these cats could be having. And, watch a volunteer keep coming back. A couple quarts of paint, soft floor mats or rugs, a cool cat tree or kitty cottage, a piece of small furniture to make it home-like, or an outdoor play area. Is that so much to ask? |
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