ASPCA® Reports Pet Adoptions Up, Intake & Euthanasia Down in Spokane

NEW YORK—A total of 2,410 cats and dogs left animal shelters alive in Spokane, Wash. during the first quarter of 2009, in addition to a total of  9,789 animals in the calendar year 2008, according to statistics provided by the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) for the second year of its ASPCA® Mission: Orange™ campaign in Spokane.

Adoptions increased, while intake and euthanasia of unwanted animals decreased, leading to a 6.2  percentage point increase in the overall live release rate year-over-year for the first quarter of 2009 compared to 2008. This follows a 3.8 percentage point increase in overall live release rate last year, which rose from 52.1 percent in 2007 to 55.9 percent in 2008. Live release rate refers to the percentage of animals that exited the shelter system alive, via adoption, return-to-owner, or transfer to another agency for adoption.

Adoptions were up eight percent in the first quarter of 2009, compared to the first quarter of 2008 following an overall adoptions increase of 17.6 percent in 2008 over the previous year (6,130 total compared to 5,213). Intake dropped 4.8 percent in 2008 over the previous year (17,499 in total compared to 18,379) with 880 fewer animals entering shelters. Euthanasia also dropped 24 percent in the first quarter of 2009, compared to the first quarter of 2008 following an overall euthanasia decrease of 13.6 percent in 2008 over the previous year (7,824 total compared to 9,051).

"These latest findings reaffirm our confidence in the power of collaboration among agencies who share a common goal—to provide positive outcomes for at-risk animals—and they are proving to be a life-saving force," said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. "We applaud the hard work and dedication of our Spokane partners in their efforts to provide positive outcomes for the homeless pets in their community."

The ASPCA Mission: Orange partners in Spokane include Pet Savers (low-cost spay/neuter clinic), Spokane Humane Society, SpokAnimal C.A.R.E., and Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services. For the campaign, the ASPCA is investing funding and resources over a three-year period to build a sustainable model that will boost live release rates of unwanted pets. The ASPCA launched its campaign in Spokane in May 2007, and is currently partnering with eight other communities (Tampa, Fla.; Gulfport-Biloxi, Miss.; Austin, Texas;  Charleston, S.C.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; and Buncombe County, S.C.; Sacramento, Calif.; and Shelby County, Ala.).

For more information about ASPCA Mission: Orange, please visit www.aspca.org/adoption/aspca-mission-orange.