MILLION CAT CHALLENGE
The Million Cat Challenge (MCC) launched in 2014 as a shelter-based campaign to save the lives of one million cats in North America over five years. When the more than 1,000 participating animal shelters across North America reached and exceeded that goal a full year early, an even bolder goal was conceived: #allthecats.
Danville-Boyle County Humane Society joined #allthecats coalition in 2019. Since we began implementing the best practices outlined by the Million Cat Challenge, we have increased our "save rate" for cats
from 40% to OVER 80%!
#allthecats means finding the right outcome for every cat who comes to a shelter, even if that “outcome” is never being admitted at all.
It means building the community safety net so that many cats and kittens can get the care they need right where they are.
It means providing sufficient space and humane care in the shelter so the cats that do come can be moved quickly and safely to the best possible result: Lost cats go back to their families, cats who have lost their homes
are placed in new ones, and cats who are thriving in the community are spayed or neutered and returned to their outdoor home if possible, or placed in a working home if not.
And it means that for cats whose suffering can’t be remedied any other way, euthanasia will be available with the most kindness and comfort that can possibly be provided. Read more here.
What does that mean for Boyle County Cats?
In accordance with best practices, DBCHS won't subject healthy outdoor cats or kittens, feral cats, or unowned community cats to shelter intake. These cats are better off living where they are - even a day in a shelter is traumatizing for them and a positive outcome is not guaranteed. Instead, we are embracing "Trap/Neuter/Vaccinate/Return to Outdoor Home" (TNVR or TNR). TNVR helps stabilize cat colonies and stop the spread of disease and reproduction. TNR also dramatically reduces euthanasia.
There are many Kentucky communities with successful TNVR programs. The Joanie Bernard Foundation has granted well over $1 million to community cat spay/neuter programs in 8 Northern KY counties and 12 Central KY counties starting as far back as 2016. Outside of Kentucky, community cat programs are the norm.
Here's what we CAN DO:
Healthy outdoor cats or kittens, feral cats, or unowned community cats can be fixed for free thanks to a generous grant from Bluegrass Area Development District. DBCHS will make an appointment with our veterinarian and provide resources including a humane trap ($50 deposit), blankets/towels, and food for bait. We can also offer tips and step-by-step instructions on how to safely trap outdoor cats.
Please note that ear-tipped cats have already been surgically altered and vaccinated. You can leave those cats where they are knowing they will not reproduce or spread disease.
This is the responsible and humane way to handle cats that live outdoors. Call us at 859.238 1117 to make an appointment. You can read more here.
HELP US SAVE LIVES!
Call DBCHS @ 859.238.1117 or email us for information on our Community Cat Spay/Neuter Program.