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Adopt a Hurricane Survivor!
Lovable pets are abundant and available
for adoption in Katy and Houston
© Katy Magazine - Katy, Texas 2005
December 01, 2005
By Karen Jaggers
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After the death of their beloved pet, the Robb Family of Katy decided to adopt a cat from a local shelter. With the large influx of Hurricane Katrina pets, the Robbs decided that adopting from an animal shelter was a better
alternative than purchasing from a breeder. “We have adopted three cats from the SPCA over the years and it has been a wonderful experience for our family,” says Cynthia Robb. “There is such a large selection of animals all
desperately looking for homes.” After visiting the shelter, the Robb family left with two new family members!
In the aftermath of Hurricane’s Katrina and Rita, countless pets were orphaned or separated from their families. The Houston area received hundreds of pets from the hurricane stricken areas -- animals that are still in need of
loving homes. Many local shelters in the Katy and West Houston have opened their hearts and facilities, filling to capacity, in order to accommodate these animals that were once family pets. Instead of buying that puppy on the
side of Mason Road (which is never a good idea), think about adopting a Hurricane Survivor instead!
Houston SPCA
The Houston SPCA is located at 900 Portway Drive just North of I-10 near the Galleria in Houston. The SPCA received hundreds of pets from Hurricane Katrina. They have made every effort to reunite hurricane victims with their pets,
but a vast majority of the pets have gone unclaimed. The Houston SPCA states, “we will continue to accept animals in need because we believe that all lives have value. We dream of a truly humane world where all animal owners are
responsible, and there is a home available for every animal who needs one. Until that time, the doors of the Houston SPCA will remain open.” For further information you can contact the Houston SPCA at 713-869-SPCA or via the web
at www.spcahouston.org.
Citizens for Animal Protection
Located at 11925 Katy Freeway, CAPS provides a variety of services including Humane education/Adopt a Classroom, Pet Adoption, Spaying and Neutering of Adopted Pets, Educational Speakers, Pet Assisted Therapy, Animal Rescue, Pet
Owner Counseling, Foster Homes, Lost and Found Services and many other volunteer programs. CAPS has Luv-A-Pet Centers located at three locations one of which is the Katy Petsmart, located at I-10 and Fry Road. The adoption fee of
$89 for puppies/dogs or $79 for kittens/cats includes Vaccinations and Rabies Shot, Spay or Neuter surgery, Heartworm test for dogs, De-worm and De-flea, Feline Leukemia test for cats, Pet ID tag with lifetime registry, a leash
for dogs and a carrier for cats. You can contact CAPS at 281-497-0534 or via their website at www.caps4pets.org.
Special Pals
Special Pals is located at 3830 Greenhouse Road in Katy. The mission of Special Pals is “to make the world a better place for healthy cats and dogs by providing temporary shelter, healthcare, an alternative to euthanasia, adoptive
homes and education to the community about the responsibilities of pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutering.” The shelter facility sits on 3 1/2 beautifully wooded acres and provides shelter to approximately 100
dogs and cats. You can contact Special Pals at 281-579-PETS (7387) or visit their website at www.specialpalsshelter.org.
Pets are Not Disposable
All shelters struggle with the issue of far too many homeless or discarded pets and too few homes for them. “Fifty two percent of the total animals received at CAPS are turned in by their owners and 1/3 of the animals that we
receive are purebred,” says Trisha Royal, Community Outreach Director for CAPS. Royal says the biggest issue with homeless pets is the overpopulation problem. “We must focus on educating children to teach them compassion for
animals and the realities as to why animals are in shelters. Also, shelters must educate their staff to counsel those who turn in their pets,” says. Royal. “If everyone had to look into the eyes of the darling dogs and precious
cats at the shelter, they would see what we see … the pondering question on their face of ‘why am I here and what will happen to me?’ We do not need years to find a cure – it is simple. Love and care for your pet, have it altered,
properly train it to be a loving member of the family and keep him/her for their entire life. If you do not want a pet, don’t get one. Animals are not merchandise. It is so very, very simple.”
Editor’s Note: If you love animals and want to help, please consider making a donation or volunteering for one of these worthwhile organizations!
Karen Jaggers is a writer who has lived in Katy for over fourteen years with her husband and two children. She also counts among her family members a dog, two cockatiels and numerous fish!
Submit your Katy news to editor@katymagazine.com.
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