We all know how independent cats are.  But, did you know, that they're so independent, most of them even find their own homes -- or find a Samaritan to find one for them?  The latest APPMA survey reports that 76% of pet cats simply showed up at their guardian's door -- or came from a friend or relative who had the cat show at their door -- or was the offspring of one that did.  Only 23 of every 100 pet cats were adopted from animal shelters!

For the cats, this is especially fortunate since fewer than half of all cats that end up at shelters ever find homes -- most are either euthanized (over 80,000 annually in Michigan shelters) or live out their lives in cages (at no-kill shelters).  Clearly a cat's best strategy for a new home is through taking the adoption process into their own paws -- and it's easy to understand how it happens:

When someone sees cats or kittens in their yard or barn -- or at their work or school parking lot -- or rummaging in a dumpster where they live or shop -- they make eye contact.  They may not do anything right away, but the sight haunts them and brings them back to check on the cats.  Soon, observing turns into feeding, and feeding turns into bonding. (Most of you reading this have had that experience -- did you find your cats, or did they find you?)

Farmers and homeowners may simply leave the cats outdoors -- providing shelter and food.  Apartment and mobile home residents usually bring the cats indoors as pets -- or at least to foster while they find permanent homes with friends, neighbors or relatives.  Just like cats adopted from shelters, most of these cats get fixed -- if their caregivers can afford to do so.  Their caregivers don't want a continual flow of kittens and find that the cats are easier to live with once they've been fixed -- no more fighting, yowling or spraying. 85% of all pet cats are sterilized.

For the other 15% whose caregivers can't pay to get them fixed -- either because of sheer numbers or because of limited incomes -- our programs are here to help.  If they make a lifelong commitment to care for their cats, we'll pay to spay or neuter them.  We know this simple act can ensure these homeless cats forever homes-- and often ones of their own choosing.

To apply for vouchers, go to our web site and click on the appropriate program:  Outdoor Cat barn, yard or feral (for property owners regardless of income) or Indoor Pet Cat (for families with incomes under $40,000.)  We service all of Washtenaw County and parts of Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Oakland amd Wayne Counties.  Since 2000, we've funded the spay/neuter of 8,570 cats.

Besides being free, we've found that a convenient driving distance is important to our participants (and encourages their participation).  By using the many vet clinics in our service area, most cats can be fixed within 15 miles of their home.  Our special thanks to the clinics below, who each performed more than a dozen spay/neuters for our program during 2007 -- the median number was 43.

Heritage Animal Hosp	Kelly Veterinary
MI Avenue Animal Hosp	Country Cat Clinic
Green Oak Veterinary	Village Animal Clinic
Salem Veterinary	Grass Lake Animal Hosp
Countryside Veterinary	Companion Animal Hosp
Chelsea Animal Hosp	Westarbor Animal Hosp
Fowlerville Veterinary	Brighton Animal Hosp
The Bridgewater Vet	Manchester Veterinary
Adrian Animal Clinic	Lyon Veterinary
Saline Vet Service	Fay Veterinary
Easthaven Animal Hosp	Animal Clinic of Pinckney
Ypsilanti Animal Clinic	Columbia Veterinary
Brookeside Anim Hosp	Tecumseh Animal Hosp
Milan Veterinary	Cherry Hill Veterinary
Main Veterinary	Brooklyn Road Veterinary
Home Health Care for Pets	Wayside Veterinary
Lane Animal Hosp	Dexter Animal Clinic
Noah's Ark	VCA Woodland
Affordable Vet Services