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So how will taking the cats out in your mobile adoption program help?
The exposure will increase each cats chance of finding their new home! The largest bricks and mortar type shelter the Calgary area has an average of 330 adoptions per MONTH, whereas even the largest foster-based rescue only adopts out 500-600 cats each YEAR! By bringing a number of cats out to a high traffic, convenient location we increase the number of people who can see and visit with the cats, and thus increase each cats chances of finding a home.
Why have a separate program for this?
By developing this independent style of a mobile adoption program we have an ongoing, sustainable way for each foster-rescue to adopt out more cats each year, for YEARS to come! The mobile adoption program works to decrease the amount of time each cat has to spend in foster, and increases each cats chances of adoption each time it goes out in the mobile adoption van. And that's what it's all about... finding these kitties their new homes!
What will the van look like?
View some mock-ups of our van!!
What is your fundraising goal? How will you generate operating funds?
Our initial fundraising goal is $250,000. That will purchase a customized mobile adoption van and cover our operating costs for one year. After the first year we'll already have the van so our ongoing budget will include just operational costs, which we budget at $125,000, until we're ready to expand with a second adoption van.
Once in operation, Cats Ahoy will generate much of its own operating money through van sponsorships, pet merchandise sales on location at adoption events (litter, toys, cat food etc), adoption service fees, and donations and grants. Our goal during our first year of operation is 450 cat adoptions! We estimate that with 450 annual adoptions and full van sponsorship (please see our Sponsorship page for more details on van sponsorships) we will be able to generate approximately 70% of the $125,000 annual operational funds... more than two thirds of our needed funds! We believe in being as self-sustaining as possible, and we want to maximize the funds we can generate for ourselves. Please consider donating towards our van so we can get started as soon as possible!
We're a foster-based rescue, as you describe. Why would we want to partner with the Cats Ahoy Mobile Adoption program?Each time we take your cats out to an event we increase their chances of finding their new family. From your end, you'll need to coordinate with your foster parents to arrange for cats to come out on the events. After all the care and resources that you've given each cat, this helps everybody by finding the cats their new homes as soon as possible... so you can move on to help the next one!
Because we're not directly affiliated with any particular rescue or shelter, we can accept any rescues' animals into our program and promote them in an unbiased manner. With a traditional mobile adoption program like you see in the USA, the mobile adoption van is owned by the shelter who bought it, and those are the animals they take out. So unless you can afford a van yourself, you're out of luck for participating! With this independent concept, many rescues in a given area can all use this resource, and all can benefit by it.
We're a rescue but we operate outside of Calgary, can we still particpate?Absolutely! Cats Ahoy will be providing our mobile adoption service to other towns and rescues in southern Alberta. Although we'll have a big focus on Calgary because of the large population of homeless cats here (and of course it's our home town; Go Flames!), we have a huge advanatage being mobile - we can take our show on the road! We can bring out the empty van out for events in your town and then load them up with local cats there, or we can arrange for your cats to come in and participate in regular Calgary adoption events. For smaller groups who don't have as big of a population base for potential adoptors, bringing your cats in to Calgary can give that that extra bit of exposure to find them their right family.
We can be flexible to your organizations' needs - one rescue may send out a few cats each week and participate regularily, while another maybe just arranges for the van to come to a local event in their city, or maybe we take out a one-time load of 2 or 3 cats. Being independent really lets everybody use what they need, without locking off opportunities for anyone else!
So are you a mobile pet store then?No! We still use a matchmaking process to try to find the most suitable match for each cat and each family. This a new family member that you'll be with for possibly the next 20 years! Please let us help you in finding one that matches your lifestyle and needs.
Are the cats fixed and vet checked?Yes, all cats who participate in the Cats Ahoy Mobile Adoption program are spayed or neutered, and many are also microchipped and/or tattooed. Each cat has been given at least their initial vaccinations as well, and all have been thoroughly examined by a vet to do everything we can to make sure they're happy, healthy and ready to go home!
Can I take my new kitty home right away?Yes! Here's the usual process for adoption: choose a cat that you would like to visit with, and visit for at least 15 minutes to see if you're compatible. If you are, we have some paperwork for you to fill out, you pay the adoption fee, and then you can take your new family member home! If you're not able to take them home right at that moment, we can also arrange for you to pick them up the following day from that kitty's originating rescue organization or foster home.
What if it doesn't work out; can I bring the cat back?Yes, the rescues we partner with will always take their animals back. With your adoption package we've included the name of the original rescue organization that your cat was from, and you can contact them directly about the cats foster history or surrender details.
Is Cats Ahoy a registered charity?Cats Ahoy is registered charity, #82422 3226 RR000. Tax receipts will be issued for all donations over $20. Your donation goes towards the purchase of our mobile adoption van and its operation. By getting rescue cats out and into the community we show that the "Adoption Option" is the solution to puppy and kittens mills. It's about time Calgary had a mobile adoption program... get on board with Cats Ahoy and donate now!
Can the Cats Ahoy Mobile Adoption Centre come to our event?Certainly! The Cats Ahoy Mobile Adoption Centre is available for all kinds of events. Typically these events fall on the weekends, however if you have a mid week event we'd still love to come out! We can attend grand openings, fairs, conventions, promotional events with vets or groomers or pet stores, etc. Cats Ahoy would love to bring out cats to your next event. Please note that the purpose of the Cats Ahoy Mobile Adoption program is to adopt out animals, not to be a petting zoo. So while we're happy to attend your event we will be encouraging adoptions, and usually don't allow casual visiting with the cats (for disease control). As such, if you are having a birthday party and just want some animals to come out for the kids to play with, then this program is probably not for you. But if you have an event and would like a fun and festive display, then please contact us! Our brightly colored van and tables of pet gifts and products always draws a crowd! And we can arrange to keep any adopted cats for their new families until the end of the day when the event is over.
Where can I find link banners to use for linking to the Cats Ahoy website?Thank-you! We appreciate all links to our website. You can find some link banners here.