Crisis averted: adoption rates are up at Quinte Humane Society

By Becky McMullen

BELLEVILLE – The head of the Quinte Humane Society says the community has pulled together to help solve a cat over-population problem at its facility.

“We had a really good month here in October. The public really did pitch in, and get in to do some adoptions. It really made a difference in the shelter numbers,” said Frank Rockett, executive director of the QHS.

The staff has to keep track, maintain, and take care of over 100 cats daily. Photo by Becky McMullen

Adoption rates at the Quinte Humane Society spiked last month with 143 animals adopted, which is a lot more than the typical rate of around 80.

Last month, there were 200 animals on the waiting list and 160 in the shelter and adoption agencies. Rockett says the humane society is still over capacity, but staff are still working hard to get homes for the cats. But with the number of cats down to 126, Rockett says they’re getting to a more manageable number.

However, there is still work to be done. In the community there are several more places that may want to place cats at the humane society.

“We’ve gone through our waiting list and we’ve gotten our numbers down to 126 cats so we’re still a little high, but it’s more manageable, ” said Rockett.

Rockett says the staff is feeling great about the work they’ve done this month.

The price to care for a cat in the humane society is $485 dollars, but the shelter only receives $140 when they take in a cat. Photo by Becky McMullen

“It’s really heartwarming for us, you know, the staff has been working hard at this. There’s a strong passion and love for animals in the community and that really shone through as well. So we’re very thankful to have the community’s support to tackle issues like this when they arise,” said Rockett.

Aside from adoptions, the humane society had people volunteering and donating.

Since the number of cats in the facility was way up, there were more vets bills. The donations from the community helped alleviate these costs, according to Rockett.