The city of West Des Moines issued a RFP (request for proposal) to solicit contractors who would accept cats from the city’s animal control facility. This proposal came after strong opposition to the inhumane proposal city staff crafted to change city ordinance to mandate that socialized pet cats be put back on the streets rather than be adopted from a humane society or legitimate shelter. While this gives the appearance that something more will be done for West Des Moines cats, the city staff’s comments that only 25-40 cats need adoption services within the entire city in a year shows the clear intent of the city–to abandon responsibility to these animals.
Furry Friends Refuge responded to the RFP with a proposal that truly addresses the needs of the cats and animals in West Des Moines. The proposal not only would restore service levels for pets and pet owners to the high standard previously in place, but it would do so at a savings of $250,000 a year to taxpayers. Read the proposal here. City leaders have a clear and proven option already in their community to ensure that cats and all animals receive services–an option that does not leave kittens on the streets to grow up unsocialized and feral. Furry Friends’s team of foster homes have cared for thousands of kittens and would ensure young kittens can be socialized and join loving families in homes. The proposal by Furry Friends Refuge is a clear option to BOTH restore lacking services and save the taxpayers money.
Save WDM cats 