Homeless cats getting protection they need in Warren County

Front Royal’s Julia Wagner Animal Shelter has risen to 14^th most successful in the entire Commonwealth of Virginia in saving the lives of the area’s cats as it struggles during the summer months with the largest influx of felines during the year.

In a mid-year report to Humane Society of Warren County (HSWC) members, shelter executive director Lavenda Denney also described a different shelter attitude toward stray cats that is contributing to a current 94% annual save rate credited to our HSWC.

“While warm weather and birth of so many unwanted kitties can be overwhelming for an animal shelter, it is no longer without hope” Denney said, noting that the local shelter “has come a long way to save the lives of cats” – and accounts for its new standing on Virginia’s ‘cat ladder’ of accomplishment.

Particularly during this busiest time of the year for cats needing homes, Denney is asking the public not to assume healthy-looking strays are, in fact, strays.

“Many seemingly stray cats are actually owned indoor/outdoor cats and will eventually make their way home.  An otherwise healthy cat has a much better chance of being reunited with its owner if it isn’t brought into the shelter,” she said.

Looks like something’s going on over there – maybe you better let me out to explore the situation …

In other words, don’t immediately try to hand in a cat you aren’t used to seeing.  If you are overly concerned, however, call 635-4734, discuss your situation and make an appointment to bring the animal in – if it is still considered necessary.  Denney points out that less than 1% of stray cats brought into the shelter are reclaimed; but most cats left to their own devices find their way home.

‘REJOICE’ – it’s nap time after last night’s adventures

Meanwhile, according to the HSWC Summer 2017 newsletter, more cats (393) have been adopted this year than have been admitted (377) and, on the financial side, income ($328,632) continues to outstrip expenditures ($318,706) as it did last year for the first time in recent history.  Overall, dogs, cats and other animals live release rate, running, at 94%, is slightly higher than last year’s record of 92%.

The newsletter took the opportunity to boost its major fundraiser, “Waggin for Dragons”, the annual boat races on the Shenandoah River, on Saturday, Aug. 12, starting at 9:30 a.m. “Yappy Hour” has been restarted at the Vine & Leaf on Main Street every Friday (5-8 p.m.) and the annual “Tails and Ales” cash party should be marked on calendars for Saturday, Nov. 11.

On Aug. 19, a “Clear the Shelters” adoption event is scheduled at the Progress Drive facility.

The newsletter reminds that “the HSWC is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate care to abandoned, abused, homeless and neglected animals (aiming) to educate pet owners on the importance of vaccinations and population control and to place adoptable pets into loving homes.”