At their regular meeting on Monday, May 21, 2018, the Pitt County Board of Commissioners approved a $5,000 matching grant from the Community Partnership For Pets, Inc. (CPPI), to be awarded to Pitt County Animal Services for the purpose of continued efforts in their spay/neuter services.
The grant requires a 100% match, totaling the grant to $10,000, and will help to continue the TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) Program and reduce the euthanasia of cats. The $10,000 received through this grant will accommodate approximately 250 surgeries, exponentially reducing the potential number of stray cats from populations left unchecked. Pitt County Animal Services Director, Michele Whaley notes the difference this could make in not only preventing future euthanization rates, but also lowering current rates as well; “We are excited to continue this progressive lifesaving work. Since implementation our live release rates for cats entering the shelter has increased from 32% to 71% and we will work hard to increase that even further. Spaying and neutering is the most effective way to decrease the over pet population problem every community faces”
The Community Partnership for Pets was started in 2005 in Henderson County, NC and works on many fronts to reduce the suffering and euthanasia of dogs, puppies, cats and kittens. They have created and implemented a variety of programs and partnered with individuals, private agencies and local governments to create positive outcomes for the animal populations they serve. CPPI has already established spay/neuter voucher programs throughout North Carolina in Buncombe, Burke, Henderson, McDowell, and Transylvania counties, and are currently working with Granville, Polk, Rutherford, Warren, and Vance counties in addition to Pitt County. To learn more about CCPI, their work, and grant information, visit their website at www.communitypartnershipforpets.org.