Grant of $35,000 will extend efforts to save more animal lives in Citrus County, Florida

Citrus County Animal Services announced it has been awarded a $35,000 grant from the Petco Foundation to support the expansion and improvement of the foster program, acquire additional lifesaving and pet retention equipment and supplies, and increase community engagement.

The Petco Foundation investment will help to increase medical and surgical resources for animals who enter the shelter. It will also provide resources and support to foster parents, which will also increase community participation and awareness of the shelter’s foster program. Therefore, saving the lives of the most vulnerable animal populations, including neonates.

“The support of the Petco Foundation is a game changer for Citrus County Animal Services and those we serve. We are truly grateful, as the funds will move our shelter to the next level of progressive animal welfare standards. With this generous grant we can do more for those we give our all to every day,” said Colleen Yarbrough, Citrus County Animal Services Director.

For more information about Citrus County Animal Services or the Citrus County Animal Shelter visit https://www.citruscritters.com/ or call – 352-746-8400. For more on the Petco Foundation, visit www.petcofoundation.org and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram by using the hashtag #PetcoFamily. 

About Citrus County Animal Services

Citrus County Animal Services serve the citizens and animals of Citrus County, Florida. In December 2018, the shelter’s live release for adoptable dogs, cats, and other animals combined total was 77.74%. Since then, through improved efficiency and community support, we have increased our onsite and offsite adoptions, decreased the length of stay for animals in our care, and recently hired a full-time shelter medicine, high volume spay/neuter, veterinarian. Staff and volunteers have increased enrichment, added additional post-adoption support, increased our volunteer recruitment program, and revitalized our Community Cat program. All of these things combined have increased our live release rates for adoptable dogs, cats, and other animals substantially.  We are now on a positive path with January 2019 live release rate at a combined total of 93.51% and February 2019 live release rate at a combined total of 97.35%. For more information about Citrus County Animal Services or the Citrus County Animal Shelter visit https://www.citruscritters.com/.

 About the Petco Foundation

At the Petco Foundation, we believe that every animal deserves to live its best life. Since 1999, we’ve invested more than $250 million in lifesaving animal welfare work to make that happen. With our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners, we inspire and empower communities to make a difference by investing in adoption and medical care programs, spay and neuter services, pet cancer research, service and therapy animals, and numerous other lifesaving initiatives. Through our Think Adoption First program, we partner with Petco stores and animal welfare organizations across the country to increase pet adoptions. So far, we’ve helped more than six million pets find their new loving families, and we’re just getting started. Visit petcofoundation.org to learn more about how you can get involved.