Jacksonville – Animal Shelter Diversion is a phrase that may not be familiar to many but is a major practice of St. Augustine Humane Society. Animal shelter diversion programs aim to reduce the number of animals entering shelters by providing alternative solutions to those facing the decision of relinquishing a pet or a stray animal to an animal shelter. Many people know that the missions of the St. Augustine Humane Society include keeping pets and the owners together by providing resources to pet owner such as addressing pet medical issues, and providing pet food to help owners keep their pets rather than relinquishing the pets to a shelter. Shelter diversion goes a little further. Have you ever wondered what happens when a person finds a stray cat and that person cannot take care of another animal. Many people consider that the humane thing to do is to take that pet to the nearest animal shelter. St. Augustine Humane Society is not an animal shelter and understands that animal shelters are a necessary part of addressing animals in this country. However, St. Augustine Humane Society knows that each animal that enters an animal shelter faces potential euthanasia for population control. The St. Augustine Humane Society has made a promise to this community that it will NEVER PARTICIPATE IN EUTHANIZING AN ANIMAL SOLEY FOR ANIMAL POPULATION CONTROL.
That pledge was put to the test about a month ago when a cream colored cat was dropped off at St. Augustine Humane Society, which we subsequently named Anna-Kat. Anna-Kat turned up at Tom’s (not his real name) home a few months ago , looking for food and not in the best of health. Tom brought Anna-Kat to the St. Augustine Humane Society because he didn’t think he had any other options. Tom actually thought St. Augustine Humane Society was the county’s animal Shelter and that SAHS had to take the animal. “I hate to do this but I can’t care for any more animals,” was Tom’s parting words to SAHS.
This is kitten season and the rescues are full with young kittens. Further, Anna-Kat was not spayed, had no records of vaccines, or other shots or a rabies tag when she was dropped off. As of now, Anna-Kat has been spayed, received all her vaccines and rabies shot, and microchipped, all by the St. Augustine Humane Society. To complete the bonus part of the shelter diversion program (Anna-Kat did not go to a shelter) we would like to find Anna-Kat a home. TNVR is an option but a forever home is also a solution. Anna-Kat has been socialized and would make a good pet. She is very vocal and playful.
Animal shelters do not exist to euthanize animals but an intact year old female cat’s chances of making it out of the shelter alive during kitten season are much less than most would like to think about. The shelter has to first consider the cost of vetting Anna-Kat, the cost to housing her for months and the real possibility that she would not get adopted quickly. Since Anna-Kat is not a kitten there is a chance that no matter how hard they tried, Anna-Kat may not get adopted. We are not willing to take that risk with Anna-Kat
Help Anna-Kat find a home and stay out of the shelter!