FAQS
Q - How long do you keep animals?
A - It can vary from a couple days to even years. No matter how long it takes, each cat at Happy Endings has a safe, loving home until their permanent home comes along. No cat is ever euthanized for convenience sake, but only when, in a veterinarian’s professional opinion, is in a state of terminal suffering.
Q - Is it true that all shelter and rescue animals have some sort of problem and that is the reason they become homeless?
A - Definitely not. The majority of our shelter population is well adjusted, often well-trained and wonderful cats. Pet overpopulation, unclaimed strays, irresponsible pet ownership and unexpected economic issues are the primary causes for pets becoming shelter animals.
Q - How is the shelter financed?
A - The majority of our funding comes from donations, adoption fees, fundraising efforts and merchandise sales. Additionally, people who share our vision and responsibility for caring for cats share their estates, insurance and wills with Happy Endings.
Q - What will my monetary donation pay for?
A - 100% of your tax deductible contributions are spent on quality care (medical and behavioral) for our cats and basic supplies. Happy Endings is run solely by volunteers.
Q - Are there other ways to help Happy Endings besides making a financial contribution?
A - Absolutely! Volunteers are always needed. If your time or energy won’t allow you to volunteer with us, please tell others that we have a “no-kill” policy and that help is always needed!
If you have a few hours a week to donate and would like to become a volunteer, just stop on in to the shelter during our open hours to fill out an application, find out the shift times for each day and which ones need your help. Alternatively, you can download, print and fill out our volunteer application in the comfort of your own home and then bring it in during our opens hours, where one of our volunteers will assist you the rest of the way.
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Q - What is the adoption process and how much does it cost?
A - All potential adopters fill out an application and go through an extensive interview process. Adoption facilitators assist in finding the perfect cat that best matches your home. After choosing your cat, there is a cool-down period. Veterinarian reference checks and follow-up telephone calls are made on Mondays to make sure you are still interested. When the interview process is complete and all qualifications are met, a home visit is set up and the selected cat is delivered to its new home.
Adoption fees are $85 for one cat/kitten and $130 for two cats/kittens. Adoption fees include procedures already performed such as:
- Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus tests
- Distemper Shots
- Rabies Booster (Good for 1 year from date given)
- Preventative Dewormer
- Spay/Neuter procedure on cats that are at least 8 months or older
Q - I found a stray or I can no longer keep my cat. Will you take it?
A - Many factors are involved when accepting a cat. To start the process, please either call the hotline at (414) 744-3287 or email us at info@HappyEndings.us. If possible, please indicate the cats name, age, medical status, etc. In order to maintain the health of our felines, all incoming cats must be both Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) tested. In addition, there is a $35 surrender fee. Since there is generally a waiting list, start the process as soon as possible.
Q - My cat is sick, is it contagious?
A - There are some diseases that can affect both humans and animals. These are known as zoonotic diseases or diseases that can be passed from pets to humans and from humans to pets. People with compromised immune systems from disease or medications are at higher risk.
The most common feline zoonotic diseases include:
- Ringworm
- Toxoplasmosis
- Salmonellosis
- Campylbacter infection
- Giardia infection
- Cryptosporidium infection
- Roundworms
- Lyme Disease
- Malaria
- Rabies
- Tuberculosis
- Coccidia
Q - What can I do to protect myself from zoonotic diseases?
A - Attention to cleanliness along with common sense will help protect you, your family and your pet.
Keep these tips in mind:
- Keep your pet up to date on vaccinations, especially the rabies vaccine.
- Keep your pet free of fleas and ticks.
- Keep your pet free of intestinal parasites, such as worms; a fecal sample should be checked at least once a year.
- Do not feed your pet raw meats.
- Keep cats indoors or on a leash and under supervision when outside.
- Wash your hands before handling food and after handling animals.
- Do not allow your pet to lick your food utensils or plates, bowls, etc. Do not allow animals to lick your face.
- Clean feces from litter boxes daily; empty and clean litter box periodically, using hot water and detergent.
- Wear gloves when gardening.
- Wear gloves when handling raw meat.
- Cover sandboxes for children when not in use (to discourage stray cats from using the sandbox as a litter box).
- Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Cook meat thoroughly before eating.
- Seek medical attention if you are bitten by an animal.
Q - My cat has feline HIV/AIDS or leukemia. Will it infect me too?
A - No, you are more likely to “catch” a disease from another person than you are from your cat. Studies prove that you cannot contract HIV/AIDS or leukemia from your cat. Both Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) are contagious between cats, but neither of them can infect humans. Likely the human virus cannot infect cats.
Q - How can I keep my cat healthy?
A - Pet health is very important.
Here are a few tips:
- Keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date and be sure your pet has an annual health exam
- Do not let your pet drink from the toilet
- Keep your pet indoors or outside only on a leash and supervised
- Never feed your pet raw or undercooked meat, raw eggs, or unpasteurized milk
- Have a plan for good flea and tick control
- Keep your pet’s feeding and sleeping areas clean
- Ensure your pet is spayed or neutered
- Wash your hands after handling any pet
- Be very careful when handling any animal under 6 months of age, especially if it has diarrhea or appears to be ill