Best Friends Animal Society and The Adams County SPCA Partner to Save At-Risk Cats

Best Friends Animal Society and the Adams County SPCA have partnered to save the lives of cats in the Adams County area with a two-pronged approach: a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)* program for community cats and a cat foster program, which will increase the shelter's capacity to care for vulnerable cats. Cats and kittens brought into the shelter or found without mothers by the public will be fostered by local volunteers until they are old enough to be spayed/neutered and adopted, which is typically around two months or two pounds. They will then be adopted out locally or transported to receiving partners.  

In 2021, the Adams County SPCA took in 660 cats, of which 313 were saved (47%). In the same period, the Adams County SPCA took in 361 dogs, of which 337 were saved (93%). The shelter is committed to increasing lifesaving for cats in Adams County and the foster program will help make a difference. The program will be piloted for six months beginning in January, after which it will transition fully to Adams County SPCA with ongoing support from Best Friends. 

“Since opening our doors 46 years ago, we’ve made a lot of progress; however we understand that there is still a lot of work to be done to increase lifesaving,” said Abigail Avery, Director of the Adams County SPCA. “We are grateful to be partnering with Best Friends Animal Society to establish cat lifesaving programs that will make a big difference in our community.”  

"Launching and running a successful foster program run with volunteer support can be one of the most difficult programs an animal shelter can take on,” said Audrey Lodato, Strategist—East Region, Best Friends Animal Society. “A dedicated program will connect the community and provide key lifesaving, but it requires a lot of work. Adams County SPCA is dedicated to increasing their lifesaving programs, but it takes a community to save all of its homeless pets. We are looking forward to working with the team and volunteers to create a thriving foster program for the community.”  

To fund the programming, Best Friends has provided the Adams County SPCA with a grant of $30,000, part of which will be used to provide vouchers for TNR for members of the community. 

Community support is integral to lifesaving. Foster families and transport drivers are some of the most important components of a successful lifesaving program for cats, especially during kitten season. Fostering cats and kittens is an easy way to help and all supplies and training will be provided at no cost. If you can temporarily open your home and take in cats or kittens, sign-up on bestfriends.org/adams-county or email fosteradamsco@bestfriends.org for more information.  

*Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), is the most effective way to save lives and humanely reduce the population over time, improving save rates by as much as 80 percent. In TNR programs, community cats are humanely trapped, medically evaluated, spayed or neutered, vaccinated and ear tipped under anesthesia for identification. They are then returned to their outdoor homes to live out their lives maintained by community caregivers.     

About the Adams County SPCA 

The Adams County SPCA is a private nonprofit organization that provides shelter and care for lost, abandoned and abused animals, investigates cases of cruelty to animals, recommends the prosecution of persons engaging in animal neglect or cruelty, helps control animal overpopulation and educates the community about spay/neuter programs, animal wellness and safety. The Adams County SPCA is supported by five full-time employees, five part-time employees (including one Veterinarian), – along with an active Board of Directors, and many committed volunteers who help support the work of the shelter.