[clawson26]

My parents are having to give up their five cats to go into assisted living and unfortunately no one in the family can take them. I have been working to find a no-kill animal shelter that can take them and I found one in Lufkin Texas. However, we have had problems in the past in that part of the country with bad shelters who sell animals for research or even meat. I live in Atlanta so I can't go check the place out myself. They have 501 3c status but that is about all I can find out. How can I check this place out and make sure it is safe and ok? I have searched the web but all I found was their website.
Thanks for any info!

[Turtle]

I think for the most part, you will just have to take these places at face value. I worked at a Humane Society in Wisconsin that was fantastic and we kept all adoptable animals until they found a home. They had to pass a behavior evaluation first, but if they passed and were healthy, we kept them for as long as we needed to. I now live in Florida and it is a very different scene. I looked into the local shelter and found that they euthanized something like 60% of their animals last year! So I went a little further from home and found another that claims that they don't euthanize for space...I worked there for about 6 hours and quit (though not for treatment of animals reasons, but due to the staff seeming very uneducated in handling things that come up in a shelter environment...like parvo and things like that) anyways, after I quit, my husband heard from someone that used to volunteer at this place that they do in fact set a time limit for keeping an animal and they will euthanize it if they can't find a home...never did they tell me this and I made a point in discussing it at length during my interview. I can't say I know for sure if they did this, but really, how would the public ever find this out. I would like to think that a shelter would never misrepresent themselves as a no kill, but truth is we have to take their word for it.

Have you considered listing the cats in the local papers 'free to a good home' before taking them to a shelter?

[southward bound]

Originally Posted by clawson26

My parents are having to give up their five cats to go into assisted living and unfortunately no one in the family can take them. I have been working to find a no-kill animal shelter that can take them and I found one in Lufkin Texas. However, we have had problems in the past in that part of the country with bad shelters who sell animals for research or even meat. I live in Atlanta so I can't go check the place out myself. They have 501 3c status but that is about all I can find out. How can I check this place out and make sure it is safe and ok? I have searched the web but all I found was their website.
Thanks for any info!

I sent you a pm also...but wanted to post this for ideas in case anyone else had a similar situation.

I suggest you find some vets in the area and ask them about the shelter.

But, before you do, tell them your situation and ask them if (1) they know anyone who would take a kitty and (2) ask them what shelter they would recommend.

Sometimes there are smaller rescues that don't have the exposure or websites due to limited funds. The vets will probably know about them.

[citybythebay]

Originally Posted by clawson26

My parents are having to give up their five cats to go into assisted living and unfortunately no one in the family can take them. I have been working to find a no-kill animal shelter that can take them and I found one in Lufkin Texas. However, we have had problems in the past in that part of the country with bad shelters who sell animals for research or even meat. I live in Atlanta so I can't go check the place out myself. They have 501 3c status but that is about all I can find out. How can I check this place out and make sure it is safe and ok? I have searched the web but all I found was their website.
Thanks for any info!

Check with the Better Business Bureau.
Ask for references. A reputable shelter would not flinch at that question.
Ask your vet for connections too or a vet in that area.

I would advise against listing them in the paper for "free".
Testing labs scout the papers for "free" animals.

[canibeyou]

I would contact Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah and ask them for advise on placement! GREAT people! Wonderful place! Best Friends Animal Society Home Page

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by canibeyou

I would contact Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah and ask them for advise on placement! GREAT people! Wonderful place! Best Friends Animal Society Home Page

That was going to be my suggestion

[southward bound]

Originally Posted by citybythebay

I would advise against listing them in the paper for "free".
Testing labs scout the papers for "free" animals.

That is so true. Not just testing labs, either. Just the regular guy in the street who will turn around and sell them to testing labs. It's a quick buck.

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by clawson26

My parents are having to give up their five cats to go into assisted living and unfortunately no one in the family can take them. I have been working to find a no-kill animal shelter that can take them and I found one in Lufkin Texas. However, we have had problems in the past in that part of the country with bad shelters who sell animals for research or even meat. I live in Atlanta so I can't go check the place out myself. They have 501 3c status but that is about all I can find out. How can I check this place out and make sure it is safe and ok? I have searched the web but all I found was their website.
Thanks for any info!

Call the local A.S.P.C.A. or Humane Society, they will be able to direct you to reputable rescues and no-kill shelters. I hope you find the kitties a home.

[SXMGirl]

Absolutely contact Best Friends in Kanab, Utah.

[MB2]

After I had decided to get yet another pup (companion ship to my 4 year old pup), the question I had: "Where am I looking for one, since the possibilities are so endless..."
I was ready, to get a mix/ mud this time around, after spending A LOT for my pure breed german shepherd. (I just didn't see the sense this time around)
I ended up talking to a volunteer lady, from one of the no-kill shelters in Port Saint Lucie/ FL area. (Don't have the link handy, but the name is "dogs and cats forever")
I went there, my pup "Monti" found ME, and the process started....
Interview, paperwork, bringing my older pup up there 3 times, to make sure they would adapt to each other....interview again, backround check with my vet (they wanted to make sure, I was taking care of the one I already had....which, my vet told me I should be partial owner of his office....lol...), and, last but not least, they checked out my house and neighborhood!!!
I just LOVED the whole process, gladly did it....and LOVE the dedication, commitment, employees and volunteers to death!!!!!
I gladly jumped trough ANY and EVERY hoop, because it tells me, that they care, love and ensure a good home for their babies.