Fuzzy blankets, squeaky toys, the soothing murmurs of volunteers and vitamin-rich diets aren?t the only new comforts at Baltimore City?s animal shelter ? new policies focused on adoption have increased the facility?s life-saving efforts tenfold in recent months, officials said.
Two years ago, animals were assigned desolate, cockroach-infested cells. They ate anything donated and slept on newspaper. About 98 percent were euthanized.
But shelter officials said Thursday their new status as a public-private hybrid nonprofit organization has lended success.
Under the direction of city Health Commissioner Josh Sharfstein and a new executive director from the National Aquarium, Jennifer Mead, the newly named Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter has increased adoptions from just 90 in 2004 to 932 in this fiscal year.
“The statistics speak for themselves,” Sharfstein said. “The bottom line is, because of the improvements, there are literally thousands of animals alive that would have been killed.”
The shelter is now allowed to keep donations rather than turn them over to thecity?s animal control agency, technician Sandy Corrigan said. She said the cats and dogs are cleaner and healthier ? given Science Diet meals, regular grooming and daily walks.
Shelter officials said they?ve increased the number of animal rescues from 100 in July 2005 to between 300 and 400 monthly today. Euthanasia rates have dropped 28 percent this year, Mead said.
More city funds, championed by City Council President Sheila Dixon, allowed the shelter to extend its hours, offer daily adoption classes, and guarantee all animals vaccinations.
If you go
» The shelter is at 301 Stockholme St. More information is available by calling 410-396-4588. Adoption fees for cats and dogs are $65.
