Jan

22

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1/22/2015 3:21 PM 

Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) announced it has been awarded an $80,000 grant from the Petco Foundation to fund their Offsite Adoption Program and their Prevention Program, including free services to citizens the five jurisdictions serve.

WCRAS is the only shelter solely devoted to the lost and abandoned animals of Round Rock, Leander, Cedar Park, Hutto, and Williamson County – serving a population of approximately 450,000 citizens. Since 2011, this open admission shelter has maintained a 90% or above save rate and has received national recognition for its life-saving mission. This “No-Kill” status is not mandated, but has been maintained because the shelter believes it is simply the right thing to do.

The Petco Foundation grant will be used to expand the WCRAS’ Offsite Adoption Program by hiring a new position and purchasing a new van. Plus, the grant will significantly fund the new Prevention Program. The goal of this program aims to reduce the overall number of animals that come into the animal shelter. This includes free microchips for citizens of the five jurisdictions, free collar and ID tag with adoptions, and free spay/neuter surgeries for pets of families with a financial need. For more information about any of these services, please contact the shelter staff at wcras@wilco.org.

“Our aim is to reunite families with their pets faster with the help of microchips and tags” says Cheryl Schneider, animal services director. “By increasing our reunions and decreasing unwanted litters, we hope to decrease the number of animals entering the shelter and thus, decrease the chance of euthanasia because of overcrowding.”

The Petco Foundation has served as a voice for companion animals across the country since 1999. Today, with more than 8,000 local animal-welfare partners across the country, the Petco Foundation donates approximately $15 million a year to make a difference in the lives of millions of animals. The organization is funded through donations raised during fundraisers conducted in Petco’s more than 1,200 stores across the country, as well as from Petco associates, vendors and corporate contributions. Money raised helps fund animal-welfare organizations, spay and neuter efforts, animal-assisted therapy programs, and humane education. The majority of the funds raised remain in the communities where they were raised, and the Petco Foundation is also involved in many national animal-welfare efforts.

In 2012, the Petco Foundation surpassed $100 million in funds raised for companion animals since the organization was created. To learn more, visit www.petcofoundation.org

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