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NBCR's Adoption Center Volunteers make the "AC" a continuing success As
a non-shelter/foster-only rescue group, NBCR needs an outlet for
housing and showing cats ready for adoption. Since the group formed
in 2004, NBCR has been fortunate
At the "AC"
At any one time, we can have up to 100 cats in our care. Only
those at
As for those residing in the AC, each has its own cage with
plenty of food and water. Faithful volunteers come twice a day (generally mornings and evenings), seven days a week to clean
each cage and litter box, replenish food and water
Hard Cases
Unfortunately, for various reasons and sometimes no reason at
all, a kitty gets passed over and his or her stay grows long.
The longer a cat is in the AC, the less interested in things
they are and many become depressed and listless. That's why
after a few weeks we send them back to a foster home to give
them a "vacation." The good news is that this doesn't happen
that often. It's heart-wrenching to see a worthy cat sit in the
center waiting for the right adopter week after week. We've been
lucky to find homes for most of the hard cases. It takes awhile
and a lot of patience, but the right adopters eventually make
their way to PetSmart and stand in front of that window Volunteers make it work
Running an adoption center is just one part of the work that
goes on within our group. But, like every thing else, its
management and ongoing success is based totally on the energy,
desire, and dedication of our volunteers. Without a doubt the
hardest work done at the center, which requires physical
stamina, a strong stomach, and a love for all things feline, is
the maintenance effort. Keeping the center clean is essential to
a cat's physical health as well as their
Please visit us next time you're in PetSmart and say hello to a
few kitties. They're anxious to meet you. And if you would like
to volunteer
at the AC or with the group in other ways, while you're there, talk
to one of the adoption counselors and ask for a
volunteer
application. We can always use another helping hand. |
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to use the facilities at the
PetSmart in Garland. We have to follow PetSmart's guidelines for
maintenance, security, and adoption rules. We also get a small fee
for each cat we adopt out. The arrangement has been a God-send for
us and allowed us to accomplish many of our goals.
the top of list are housed at PetSmart
— usually nine to 10. The rest are in
foster care with
our network of foster parents. We also have
space for six to 12 cats and kittens who "visit" the adoption
center (AC) on Saturdays and
Sundays during adoption hours.
You'll see
those cats in temporary cages on tables in front of
the AC. This allows us to give more of our kitties visibility to
the public and hopefully increase their chances of avoiding the
AC altogether by going straight from foster-care to their new
homes.
We're happy to
say this does happen frequently. 
, and give the
cats a little time to stretch their
legs, play with some different toys, and get some
human interaction and TLC from the
cleaner on duty.
On
weekends during adoption hours, adoption counselors man the AC
to talk to potential adopters and let them visit
with the cats.
We sometimes have teen volunteers who help keep the center clean
and during quiet times play with the kitties to give them more
exercise
and keep their spirits up. Some weekends are busier
than others, but with some adoptions by appointment during the
week, we average about seven to eight adoptions a week.
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mental well-being. The
other reasons are more obvious, such as lack of odor, appealing
facade, and well-groomed cats. We couldn't do this without them.
