Page 1 of 1
PRESS RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: Immediately (January 2, 2007)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Gene Baierschmidt
(801) 261-2919 phone
HUMANE SOCIETY HAS RECORD YEAR FOR ADOPTIONS, SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES
The Humane Society of Utah set a new record in 2006 for adopting animals to good new homes and also for preventing unwanted animals from being born in the first place. The shelter placed 6,116 dogs and cats with families of their own, a 3.9% increase over the record set the previous year, and surgically sterilized almost 10,000 animals. This was the most ever done in a single year, 5.9% more than in 2005, which had also been a record.
"We attribute these successes to the many programs we have designed and implemented to increase the animals’ appeal and availability," says HSU Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt. " For example, our foster team deals with ‘special-needs’ animals on a one-to-one basis until problem behaviors are corrected and they can fit in with a regular family. Our Outreach Adoption staff takes animals off-site to showcase them at malls, public events, and special activities. We have revised adoption policies, and also are open seven days a week to give the public every opportunity to meet our residents. We are utilizing modern technologies that allow people to view our animals on the Internet and see them on the electronic message centers facing I-15. And we are continually exploring even more ways of finding homes for adoptable animals."
The Humane Society currently adopts close to 90% of its adoptable animals, and hopes within the next year or so to eliminate the need for euthanasia altogether. "We’re narrowing the gap," says Mr. Baierschmidt, "and believe that the only way to achieve our goal is to create a ‘no-birth’ society for companion animals. Spaying and neutering is the answer, and we’re extremely gratified to see that the public is getting this message."
The HSU shelter is located at 4242 South 300 West, and is open for adoptions from 10 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 PM on Sunday. Spay and neuter surgeries are done by appointment only, and can be scheduled by calling 261-2919, ex. 230.
# # # #