Animal Rescue League of Berks County, Inc.: Kia Pet Adoption Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

Nationally, adoptions have slowed across the country this year, putting additional strain on our shelter resources as animal sit longer than ever before and waitlists continue to grow.

The Animal Rescue League of Berks County is no exception, and throughout kitten season, the shelter was inundated with more than 1,600 kittens in foster or available for adoption. As a result, older and larger animals tended to sit even longer than they normally would as kittens and puppies were the first to be adopted during this busy time.

This grant demonstrably incentivized adopters to look at senior and larger animals, knowing that their adoption fees had been reduced or waived as a result of this grant. Families adopted animals that were often overlooked and spent money purchasing treats and toys for pets with their adoption-fee savings. This grant was truly a lifesaver for our at-risk population of pets.

How many pets did this grant help?

66

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

Violet, a sweet 13-year-old female cat, came to the ARL with several other cats and a dog after her owner passed away and animal protection officers were dispatched to the home she was residing in. After being treated for some ongoing, but minor, skin issues, Violet blossomed (no pun intended), seeking attention from shelter employees and volunteers alike. A vocal and friendly girl, in just under a month Violet found her forever home with her new mom, Patti.

Patti shares that Violet is simply adorable, squeaking more than meowing when she wants to communicate. She likes to play the game “the floor is lava,” often walking over furniture and chairs to get where she wants to go versus walking across the floor. Her owners never intended to take home a 13-year-old cat, but after meeting her, they simply couldn’t leave her behind!