A Cause for Paws looks for new home after ousted by Rural King
Apr. 24—A Cause for Paws is looking for a new home after their partnership with Rural King, 3919 E. Market St., was abruptly dissolved with no explanation.
A Cause for Paws had been allowed to keep caged cats at the business so customers could meet and consider adopting. Two Saturdays a month, members of the organization would bring several dogs and cats that were available for adoption and set up in the front of Rural King.
"New management came in and said corporate had changed its opinion and we were no longer allowed to show animals there," said volunteer Melissa Closson Gerni.
The organization has reached out to Rural King's corporate officer for more information about the decision but have not received a reply.
A Cause for Paws began in 1998. Since then, they have partnered with the local shelter, the Logansport Mall, Petsense and then Rural King.
"That was the best we had," said Closson Gerni. "The people who came in and saw the animals, they would just call us and we would come in and do an adoption."
Volunteer Sandi Simms said that Rural King accounted for 100 adoptions a year.
Since 1998, A Cause for Paws has fostered over 2,500 cats and well over 500 dogs.
While they have no place to show the pets available for adoption, members of the organization have continued to take in rescued cats and dogs.
"Right now we have a house full of cats and several dogs that have been brought to us by the county and we have nowhere to show them," Closson Gerni said.
She said that with spring arriving, the organization was worried about the increase, particularly of cats, in the community.
"We're in a dilemma that affects the city, the county and us," Closson Gerni said. "We want to make the public aware that there is a great need and our great need right now is to find a place where we can show animals."
She said Rural King was a great fit because people who adopted a pet could also shop there for supplies that they would need.
"We don't need much space," said Simms. "We show the dogs only twice a month on Saturdays for about four hours. As far as the cats go, we'd love a place to set up a display cage and leave them there because people don't know they want a cat until they walk by and go 'ooh!'"
Members of A Cause of Paws took care of the cats at Rural King, feeding them and cleaning up their cages. There was no demand on the employees at the business.
When A Cause for Paws takes in a pet, they spay and neuter the animal, treat any illness or injuries, vaccinate the pet while also taking care of it. They estimated that they might invest $300 into a cat before it's adopted.
While they look for a new home, they said they were in need of foster homes, food, litter and other supplies if anyone in the community would like to assist them.
"We need for the whole community to understand that there is an animal crisis here," said Closson Gerni. "It's impacting all of us. Animal control can't really handle it because they have no place to take them."
For people looking to adopt a pet, they recommended getting the animal spayed or neutered. They also said to consider the effort and space the pet would need. Many times, people will adopt based on the cuteness factor and then understand later that they don't have a proper place to raise their pet.
"Don't just get a cute puppy," said Closson Gerni. "Think about what that dog is going to be like as an adult and is it going to spend the day barking in your backyard."
For those interested in learning more about A Cause for Paws, or those who would like to contribute to the organization, call 574-753-5575 or visit their Facebook page.
