Greenhill lets people choose their own price for adopted cats in preparation for kitten influx | News
The “Love is Priceless” promotion at Eugene’s Greenhill Humane Society allows people to set their own price to adopt certain adult cats. The promotion is happening because the shelter expects a large number of kittens to pass through its doors in the coming weeks.
EUGENE, Ore. — Greenhill Humane Society has launched a new promotion aimed at cleaning out its shelter as it prepares to welcome in a slew of kittens in the coming weeks.
Launched on July 10, the organization’s “Love is Priceless” campaign allows people to adopt certain adult cats for any price they want. The felines also go home with a free care package and some food.
Sarah Bouzad, Greenhill’s community engagement and events manager, said the price-choice arrangement was an attempt to meet the expected influx of kittens.
“Our adult cats would really like to find a home where they can relax and not have to be disturbed by these young kittens running around and disturbing their sleep,” she said.
Sarah Bouzad interacts with kittens inside a cage at the Greenhill Humane Society in Eugene.
Bouzad knows it can be a big leap of faith for someone to adopt an older cat from a shelter, but she said they can be just as rewarding as young kittens.
“There are a lot of benefits to having an adult cat,” she said. “They are potty trained, they are generally well-mannered and have established their own routine. So they are a great addition to your home where you don’t necessarily have to work on potty training and all the things that come with having a kitten.”
The promotion comes as Greenhill prepares for “kitten season,” Bouzad said. So far this year, they’ve seen more than 500 kittens come through their doors. That’s an increase from last year, which already saw a large influx of baby kittens.
Two kittens sitting inside a cage inside Greenhill.
The shelter wants animals to move in and out of its facilities quickly so there is enough space for any animal that needs help.
“I think the need comes from a lot of things going on in the Eugene-Springfield area, and I’m sure you can imagine there’s a lot going on with housing as well,” Bouzad said. “We see animals coming in needing a new home or needing homes because maybe their owners have lost their homes.”
On Friday, Anna Harris of Cottage Grove stopped by Greenhill to give a feline its “forever home.”
“I think we will be a happy family with a new cat in our lives — which is good for all three of us,” she said.
Anna Harris pets her new cat, Navi.
Her new cat, two-year-old Navi, has been a long time coming for Harris’ family. She said they only recently moved into a home that allows them to have pets.
“Now we’re finally settled in. I have everything I need in the house. I don’t know what all the other boxes are that I haven’t unpacked,” she said. “Anyway, I said, ‘It’s time for me to go get a cat.’”
Harris said Navi caught her eye because he reminded her of the family’s old feline.
“I like his size, I like his sweet little face. And he let me pet him all the time when I first got here,” she said. “He’s been really, really, really sweet since I’ve been here.”
An adult cat relaxes on the floor of an adoption room in Greenhill.
Harris specifically sought an adult cat to better interact with her daughter who has Down syndrome. She said she is happy to be able to provide a loving family for a shelter cat.
“It’s important that they find a home, you know,” she said. “Just like a child, you know. If there was a child that needed a home, well, you’d want to give them a home and love them. Same thing with animals, they’re no different. They need to know that they’re loved too.”
A dog up for adoption sits inside one of the kennels in Greenhill.
Greenhill’s work to help any animal in need goes far beyond fostering adult cats. The team said they are always looking for help as they do all kinds of work to care for all kinds of animals.
“If someone is looking to get involved, it could be your time, it could be your resources,” Bouzad said. “Or just come and adopt an animal, that’s a huge help.”
If you can’t adopt, Bouzad said you can even foster an animal to help clear a space for others in need. Pet owners can help Greenhill by doing simple things like putting identification collars on their pets, microchipping them and spaying or neutering them.
Bouzad encouraged anyone with questions about any animal care matter to contact the Greenhill team.
“We’re here as a safety net,” she said. “We really want to make sure the animals are safe and well cared for.”
A guinea pig in Greenhill’s care.
More information about the “Love is Priceless” promotion can be found on their website. Also on their website are more resources for pet owners and information about an ongoing event to support young kittens in their care.
