Kittens, Kittens, and More Kittens!

The Santa Barbara-based organization Animal Shelter Assistance Program (ASAP) was so overrun with cats and kittens last August that they held their first-ever free adoption event. Due to the overwhelming success of that event, ASAP held another free adoption event in August of this year. Even though that event was also successful, just two months later, ASAP is once again seeing its cages completely full.

Aside from the 60+ adoptable adult cats waiting for homes at ASAP, there are between 20-30 adoptable kittens, with many more kittens living in foster care, just waiting for cage space to open up.

In addition to the cats and kittens arriving daily, ASAP is committed to helping out the overwhelmed North County shelters in Lompoc and Santa Maria by taking some of those cats and kittens as space permits. Here is a short video of just one row of cages of kittens at ASAP that are available for adoption: http://youtu.be/xS2sxixvqoM

ASAP is a nonprofit organization that cares for an average of 1,000 cats and kittens annually, who are awaiting adoption at the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter. ASAP has been around for over 20 years. Within 15 months of being established, it became the first organization within a municipal shelter to stop killing adoptable cats for the purpose of population control. Each cat that comes into ASAP is given a full medical evaluation before being placed for adoption. Included in the medical evaluation is spay or neuter surgery, flea treatment, vaccinations, deworming, testing for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, and a full blood panel evaluation for cats over 10 years old.

If you are interested in adopting, stop by the facility at 5473 Overpass Road, off Patterson Avenue during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed Sundays). For more information and to see more of the adoptable cats, visit: www.asapcats.org or call (805) 683-3368.

If you aren’t able to adopt, another way to assist ASAP is to volunteer your time. For information on volunteering, visit: http://www.asapcats.org/volunteer/volunteer-at-asap.html

Announcements

Last Weekend to Celebrate Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month!

Santa Barbara County Animal Services will be celebrating by offering 20 percent off adoption fees all month long at all three of its county shelters – Santa Barbara, Lompoc and Santa Maria. When you adopt from Animal Services, the adoption fee includes all applicable vaccinations, a complimentary health exam, spay or neuter, as well as a free bag of Science Diet dog food. For more information, visit or contact one of the three Animal Services locations:

Santa Barbara: 5473 Overpass Road, Goleta, (805) 681-5285

Lompoc: 1501 West Central Avenue, Lompoc, (805) 737-7755

Santa Maria: 548 West Foster Road, Santa Maria, (805) 934-6119

Adoptable Pet of the Week

Olivero is a beautiful 11-year-old male-neutered kitty who is definitely a diamond in the rough. He is reserved when he first meets you, but once he gets comfortable, he really lets his personality show. He is very loving and would make a great lap cat. Come in and visit Olivero today!

For more information, visit the Santa Barbara Humane Society at 5399 Overpass Road, or call (805) 964-4777. Shelter hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. You can also visit www.sbhumanesociety.org.