Local animal shelter no longer accepts intakes, transitions to foster-based work under new non-profit
As 2022 heads to a close, the team running the adoption center operated by Four Paws Pet Adoptions has an announcement to share: we are no longer accepting intakes at the shelter, effective immediately, so the team can begin a transition away from having a physical shelter. Although the building at 119 S. 4th West has been an amazing asset to the community for the past twenty years, the Covid-19 pandemic opened up new opportunities. There have been over a dozen animal shelter/rescue organizations nationwide that have tested out a foster-based approach, and after a few meetings with Best Friends Animal Society, we’ve decided to pursue that here in Idaho. Foster-based rescue work is better for the cats, and prevents overcrowding in shelters - which prevents euthanasia, not to mention health issues from the stress that comes from too many cats in one place. The organizations that have tried this model have found it quite successful, and so we’re excited to give it a try, too.
In order to do this efficiently, we’re going to split our efforts. Four Paws Pet Adoptions will continue to focus on low-cost spay and neuter. A group of volunteers have formed a new organization, called Gemstone Pets Collective, which will take on the work of managing a foster network, and placing cats within the network. The foster network will be the Collective’s primary focus in 2023, though their three-year plan includes offering human-animal social services to keep pets with their families through hardship, assisting with community cats, and education outreach about cats.
“The separation is amicable - and really, it’s only a separation so we can focus on what we can each do best,” says Gemstone Pets Collective’s co-founder and board chair/treasurer, Alekzandria Peugh. “We are so grateful to Four Paws for all that they have taught us over the past six months of working together. They helped us to get in touch with Best Friends, and that mentorship has been invaluable for steering us toward this new, much more efficient approach.”
As of November 16th the shelter is no longer able to accept intakes. Instead, the team will be focused on getting the cats at the shelter into their forever homes, or foster homes. There are fewer than twenty cats remaining, which is the result of a massive adoption campaign by the team. The group has adopted out over 100 cats since resuming custody of the building in July 2022. There are a number of kittens available, as well as plenty of adults - including barn cats who would be excellent mousers. The team hopes to clear the shelter by Thanksgiving, so if you’ve been thinking about adopting a cat, now is a great time to do so!
Both groups will continue to operate and collaborate, and ask for your support as year-end giving begins. To support Four Paws and the spay/neuter program, visit fourpawsidaho.org or find them on Facebook at Four Paws Spay/Neuter Initiative. You may also contact Jodi Johnson, Board President, at fourpawspetadoptions@hotmail.com. To support Gemstone Pets Collective and the foster program, visit gemstonepets.org or find them on Facebook and Instagram at GemstonePetsCollective. You may also contact Alekzandria Peugh, Board Chair & Treasurer, at hello@gemstonepets.org.
