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Cat rescue needs rescue of its own By Michelle Boswell mboswell@thepaperofmiami
Waiting for a place to call home A resident of the Scratching Post Cat Rescue, Inc., sits in one of the many enclosures made for cats who are ready for adoption. Photo by Michelle Boswell
Vol. 2, No. 38
in 2012 and opened in 2016. We have rent payments because we had to take out a If ever there were a time loan to finish the building. Once we have it paid off, he to foster, adopt or donate, plans to donate the building the Scratching Post Cat to the rescue so there aren’t Rescue, Inc. would say it is any taxes since we are a 501now. COVID-19 is at the heart of c3,” Shircliff said. The dedication and love the situation the non-profit Shircliff has for this cause organization is currently in was evident while she spoke and they are now asking for about the rescue. Many help to get back to where times, it was through tears they need to be. she shared her passion for The 501-c3 organization helping the cats in this comhas monthly bills that exceed $4,000. COVID made munity. According to Renee Day, donations more difficult for second in command at the the community to give rescue, another COVID facbecause of job loss. tor was “the government Volunteerism also dropped would not grant elective suroff dramatically during the geries.” A spay or neuter pandemic and it hasn’t was considered elective, so returned to what it needs to the population of cats in be. Between veterinarian Miami County kept growbills, utilities, rent for the ing. Day, like Shircliff, is building, insurance, taxes, passionate about the rescue food, litter, cleaning supand what a vital role it plays plies, treatments, blankets in the quality of life in and much more, the rescue Miami County. has a need. “This community needs The building the cats live some serious trap, neuter in is located at 600 Chili (or spay) and release (TNR). Avenue, Peru, and it is filled You can’t imagine how with around 100 cats who many mommas and babies are available for adoption. have been dropped off Shelley Shircliff, CEO of here,” Day said. Scratching Post Cat Rescue, Shircliff added, “The Inc., began her journey with Neuter Scooter doesn’t come rescuing cats in 2005 at her to Miami County anymore home. because there is no place to “My husband, Bill, built a put her. She needs a place to small building in our back bring her bus. She can’t yard and then two huge outcome here because there are side enclosures we could cats and she needs a place cover with tarps. If it with just a bathroom faciliweren’t for him, we ty, sink and tables. She used wouldn’t have this rescue. to go to the Miami County We purchased this building
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Fairgrounds, but her prices have gone way up so we send ours to a spay and neuter clinic in Lafayette. Even with our transport fee, it is less than the Neuter Scooter.” The need for adoptions from the rescue is dire but some people are hesitant because of the price. Day explained why this is a fair price for adoption. “$65 is the base price to have a cat spayed or neutered. If the cat is in heat or is pregnant, it’s more. The cat may need teeth removed (and they call ahead of time to make sure it’s okay to do that) and again, the price goes up. There is a $5 transport fee. We adopt our kittens for $75 and adults for $50. So that price doesn’t count the vaccinations, the flea meds and food. People don’t want to pay the price we ask but you can’t get all of these things taken care of for that price. You’re money ahead if you come here to get a cat” Day said. “We get zero help other than what this wonderful community gives. They have kept us going. Not one dime comes from the city or county,” said Day. Because the rescue is a 501-c3, a donation is tax deductible. The number the rescue likes to stay within concerning cats in the facility is 80, but recently the number has gone over that amount. “We won’t turn down an injured cat but if someone See Rescue, Page 2