Katy Area Animal Shelters Hope to End the Year with Pets Finding ‘Furever’ Homes

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

December 16, 2023

By Natalie Cook Clark

Katy area schools are now all on break for the holidays and this is great time to consider adding to your family. This year all local animal shelters reported record-breaking critical capacity issues and they are hoping to place pets before the end of the year.

7 dogs were recently left in a Fort Bend County park. Photo credit: Fort Bend County Animal Services

Local Animal Shelters, Rescues Continue to Experience Critical Capacity

After all local animal shelters reported critical capacity problems throughout 2023, they are hoping to end the year strong with some “miracles” going into the New Year. If you don’t feel that you can adopt or foster at this time, there are still many ways that you can help local shelters during the holidays and beyond.

“December tends to be a sort of miracle month for senior animals and those who have been homeless for an extended period of time,” says Freddy Cruz with Citizens of Animal Protection (CAP.) “We love seeing our VIPs, pets who have been in our care for longer than thirty days, find their furever homes.”

To help boost adoptions this season, CAP is planning a big adoption event on New Year’s Eve, where 50% of all adoption fees will be waived.

The last Paws and Claus at Memorial City Mall event is this Monday, December 18, 2023. Pet owners can bring in their fur babies for a photo with Santa. Make a donation of $5 or more to CAP and receive a free 8 x 10 print and pet bandana. Proof of vaccination is required and pets must be leashed/secured in a carrier.

“While we always encourage adoptions, our robust foster care system helps to rehabilitate unhealthy animals,” explains Cruz. “Fostering an animal is easier than one might think. From busy professionals to those with pets and children, nursing a homeless animal back to health is not just possible. It's rewarding.”

Earlier this month 7 dogs were left in a Fort Bend County park with a bag of food. Similar situations are becoming more common. Fort Bend County Pets said on their Facebook page that to say that there is a serious problem right now in our community is an understatement. They stressed for those who want to help the dogs or any of the other 240 plus dogs in their shelter to call them at 281-342-1512.

Photo credit: Fort Bend County Animal Services

The Need for Pet Fostering

Pet fostering is greatly needed in the community and provides a temporary care to animal waiting to be adopted. This also gets the animal out of the shelter to help with capacity issues and can be a great way for families to see if pet ownership is right for them before making a long-term commitment.

“The fact that the shelters and rescues continue to be stretched to the maximum capacity and beyond speaks volumes to the crisis we are facing,” says Caroline Trulock with Almost Home Pet Rescue. “The greatest needs have always been, and will continue to be, fosters and financial donations.”

Pet crates line the hallways of Almost Pet Home Rescue.

Shelters and rescues support their foster families, so it isn’t as hard as it seems. Almost Pet Home Rescue provide full medical care at no cost to the foster families. They also provide supplies including crates, food, bedding, collar, leashes, etc.

“With respect to financial donations, rescues and many shelters do not receive funding from government agencies,” says Trulock. “Even those shelters that do receive funding don’t receive enough to provide the care the animals need.”

Shelters can use financial donations for medical care, vetting, training and food.

Other Ways Katy Families can Help

If people can’t commit to adopting or fostering, there are always ways to help the shelters.

Other Donations Items Local Shelters Need:

• Blankets and Towels

• Pet food, especially canned kitten and dog food

• Crates

• Monetary donations

• Volunteers

Always check the shelter you plan to donate to for their specific needs and requirements. For example, Special Pals will accept opened bags of food as long as it hasn’t expired.

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