1:30–2:30 p.m. EDT
Implementing an FeLV Adoption Program in Your Shelter/Rescue
In 2015, AniMeals started taking FELV & FIV cats from other shelters within the state of Montana that would have been euthanized. We have been successful in placing twenty-five FELV cats into homes. As a result of our success, other shelters have become interested in incorporating adoption strategies for FELV & FIV cats. The presentation will go over the obstacles that we faced when we first started adopting out FELV cats. We learned very early on how important it is to have all the people involved believe in your mission, including veterinarians, staff, potential adopters, and, in some cases other shelters.
About Diane Denessen
Diane is the executive director of AniMeals in Missoula, MT. In 2004, she started fostering for local shelters with a primary focus on cats needing intense medical care. She also began coordinating TNR projects of all sizes. During this time, she worked as a manager in IT for a bank, but eventually realized that she wanted to pursue my passion to be a voice for all cats. In 2015, she was asked to continue the AniMeals mission when the original founder retired.In the last five years, the group has been successful in removing barriers to adoption for cats that would previously have been deemed unadoptable. Diane has six cats, four ducks, one sheep, one goat, and a colony of about twenty community cats that she cares for. Her favorite hobby is TNR.