contributed by April Peiffer • photo courtesy WCRAS
T hanks to a generous Georgetown couple, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter’s kitten program is getting some much-needed help. Two animal lovers who fostered kittens and adopted adult cats recently donated $142,800 that was left in trust after their passing. “When they saw the efforts we made in providing for the dogs and cats in our care, they decided to leave a donation to us to continue their legacy,” says April Peiffer, community programs coordinator at the shelter. “In their letter advising us of their intent, they said, ‘We have watched over the years and have been impressed with the no-kill policy and the effort to care and treat these animals.’ “
April adds that it was an amazing surprise to receive this gift. “So much good will come from it, and we’re excited to watch it be put to good use. The potential for even more life-saving is great!”
The donation will be used to help the shelter’s life-saving programs, starting with the one most in need at the moment, the Kitten Program. The Kitten Program consists of a maternity ward and kitten nursery, as well as kitten fosters and volunteers. When kittens are brought in, they go to the nursery for care while staff try to find fosters for them. Momma cats are kept with their kittens in the maternity ward. Kittens are then sent to foster homes, and the shelter helps with food, formula, and any supplies the fosters might need, if the shelter has them available to share.
“The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is extremely grateful for such a generous gift, and we hope the donors would have been proud of the life-saving work we will do with this donation,” April says. She adds that the shelter runs most of its programs through donations and are always in need as new animals are brought in daily. “We hope the community will think of us when donating or adopting. We have hundreds of animals to choose from, potential new family members to brighten days,” she says.
Learn more about the shelter’s life-saving work and how to help at pets.wilco.org.