How do your programs or services help the community?

We help communities deal with the problems from pet over-population by rescuing and adopting homeless animals, conducting an extensive spay/neuter program, helping maintain feral colonies so they are not a nuisance to the neighborhood, promoting TNR (trap/neuter/release) as a humane alternative to wholesale killing of stray animals, and educating the public.

Program Descriptions 

Cat Rescue: We rescue abandoned and homeless cats from the streets or from other shelters who are planning to euthanize them. We take those who are most in need and would be at risk in other shelters, especially pregnant moms and orphaned kittens. We provide good medical care, a safe and homey shelter. We socialize those who have been traumatized by bad experiences with humans. All are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. If surgery or expensive medical treatment is needed, we provide it. Our rescued cats stay with us until we find a good, permanent home for them.

Adoption Placement: We find loving, permanent adoptive homes for our cats. Our adoption counselors are trained to match individual cats with homes in which they will be happy and well cared for. We interview potential families and check their references to make sure they will be good pet owners. We represent the interests of the cat or kitten, and if there is any doubt, we will not adopt to that particular family. Adopters sign a contract specifying how the cat will be cared for. We advise them on introducing their cat to the new home and to existing cats or dogs. We follow up to check on our adopted cats and to help with any questions or problems that arise.

Foster Program: Foster families provide temporary homes for pregnant moms, moms with newborn kittens, special needs cats and cats recovering from surgery or illness until they are ready for adoption. Kittens raised in foster homes are healthier, better socialized and are easily adopted. Foster families introduce kittens to solid food and the litter box when ready, and teach them to trust humans through playtime and TLC. At about 8 weeks old, kittens and moms come back to us for spaying/neutering and adoption.

Low-cost Spaying and Neutering & Vaccine Program: We provide low-cost or free spaying/neutering to the public at Cozy Cat Cottage and two other locations in Columbus. We have low-cost clinics at our facility providing checkups, vaccinations, micro-chipping, flea, tick and worming treatments, and other basic health services.

Outreach and Education Programs: We host educational sessions at our shelter and at schools, youth group meetings and businesses about the problem of animal homelessness, animal care, volunteer and support opportunities and state legislative issues affecting animal welfare. We host tours of our shelter and make the public aware of what we offer and how they can help. We provide advice on common cat behavior issues, cat care, animal first aid and other topics.

Volunteer Program: We are a volunteer-based organization. We have regular orientation programs for new volunteers to teach shelter procedures, adoption procedures, caring for kittens, assisting with spay/neuter days and clinic days. Our volunteers feed cats and clean the shelter 365 days a year, and do maintenance, painting, computer work. They help at public events, adoption events at pet stores and businesses. Our volunteers sew catnip toys, and build PVC hammocks for sale in our boutique and at public events. Volunteers help with Pet Photos with Santa each year, Delaware fair events, DooDah parade, PuppaPalooza, and Comfest, Ebay sales, golf outings, yard sales, car washes and bazaars.