Unwanted and stray cats are a huge problem in Michigan. But thanks to the no-kill animal rescue Los Gatos, more than 1,200 homeless cats have found their forever home.
Karen Moore, a PetSmart District Leader in South Michigan, appreciates all the work Los Gatos does for the community and says they were an obvious choice to receive a PetSmart Charities grant.
“They’re such a passionate group,” she says. “They work so hard to connect the right family with the right pet. They’re just a great organization.”
A Lasting Partnership
Los Gatos is run completely by dedicated volunteers. The foster organization takes in strays as well as cats from people who can no longer afford them. The volunteers ensure each cat is healthy, well-socialized, and when old enough, spayed and neutered, before they go to their new home.
Los Gatos has partnered with PetSmart Charities to hold adoption events for nearly five years, and the results have been impressive.
Sandy Monaghan, the In-Store Adoption Coordinator with Los Gatos, credits the partnership with PetSmart Charities as the reason they’ve been able to place over 1,200 cats in new homes.
“Since we joined as an adoption partner with PetSmart, our adoption rates have skyrocketed,” she said.
Every cat Los Gatos takes in needs care. But while their food and everyday needs can be costly, Monaghan says the real expense is medical expenses.
“Unfortunately, we get a lot of cats who need innoculations or even amputations,” she said. “The grant will help offset those costs, so we can help more cats.”
What Success Looks Like for One Homeless Kitten
The long relationship between Los Gatos and PetSmart Charities has created many success stories Just one example is Lupin. A kitten when he was surrendered, Monaghan says he was part-feral and scared, and she worried he’d never find a home.
“We placed him in the PetSmart Adoption Center, and the transformation was amazing,” says Monaghan. “He ended up being adopted to a very sweet family with kids. That wouldn’t have been possible without PetSmart Charities.”
