Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary
FAQ
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Here you will find answers to some of the questions we are asked most regularly at the Sanctuary. If the answer to your question is not here, please scroll down to the end of this page and enter your question there. We will try to answer your question as soon as possible.
General
A no-kill shelter is an animal shelter where animals are only euthanized if they are too sick to be treated or too aggressive to be suitable for adoption. No-kill shelters reject euthanasia as a means of population control. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that approximately three to four million pets are killed yearly in shelters across the United States. The No Kill Advocacy Center and Alley Cat Allies claim this number is closer to five million. No-kill shelters are trying to end this killing by increasing the demand for shelter dogs and cats and reducing the supply by reducing the number of animals born and thus the number of animals which end up in shelters, and through increased spay/neuter, including low-cost/free help for low-income people.
How many animals live at rainbow friends?
Currently we have 85 dogs and 200 cats.
What does spay/neuter mean and why should I spay/neuter my pet?
Spaying is a general term used to describe the ovariohysterectomy of a female animal. Neutering is a general term used to describe the castration of a male animal. However, neutering is used in reference to both genders. The surgical procedure, performed by a veterinarian, renders the animal incapable of reproducing. In every community, in every state, there are homeless animals. In the U.S. as a whole, there are an estimated 6-8 million homeless animals entering animal shelters every year. About half of these animals are adopted, and tragically, the other half are euthanized. These are healthy, sweet pets who would have made great companions. The number of homeless animals varies by state—in some states there are as many as 300,000 homeless animals euthanized in animal shelters every year. These are not the offspring of homeless "street" animals—these are the puppies and kittens of cherished family pets and even purebreds. Having your pet neutered ensures that you will not be adding to this tremendous burden.
What is feline aids and feline leukemia?
Like all virures, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia (FeLV) are incurable and surrounded by misunderstandings. While the viruses are in different subfamilies and affect feline health differently, both viruses are relatively uncommon. Available data indicate that approximately 2 to 4 percent of cats are infected with FIV and 4 to 5 percent of cats are infected with FeLV. Humans can never catch these feline viruses. And once cats are neutered, the viruses are much less transferable, because the primary modes of transmission, fighting and reproduction, are eliminated. Diagnosing cats with these diseases can be challenging. Tests for both viruses can be unreliable and result in false positives. Kittens under six months of age must be re-tested later since kittens carry their mother’s antibodies. And FIV tests, in particular, do not differentiate between FIV infection and FIV vaccination. Yet sadly, cats are sometimes killed because people misunderstand these viruses, how a cat is tested and what the test result indicates. A positive test result does not mean, “Destined to suffer.” And many cats can remain healthy their entire lives. Interestingly, feral cats are no more likely to be infected than their household peers. Alley Cat Allies discourages routine FIV or FeLV testing as part of a Trap/Neuter/Return program. Because of all these factors, veterinary experts agree that financial resources are much better spent on neutering than testing hundreds of cats in order to identify a handful that may never even develop viral-related diseases. And as with all outdoor cats, neutering is the most effective way to inhibit the spread of the viruses.
Support
If you would like to help, but cannot bring a pet into your home, the sponsorship program is a perfect way to support the pet of your choice with a monthly tax deductible donation.
How can I support Rainbow Friends?
There are lots of ways to support Rainbow Friends. You may adopt or sponsor an animal. You can volunteer some time to help run the sanctuary. You may give gifts of goods or services to help the sanctuary. If you wish to make a financial contribution you can send a check, donate by credit card or set up a monthly Direct Payment. Please see our What You Can Do page for more details.
Will my donation be tax-deductible?
Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and therefore all donations are tax-deductible. You will be sent a receipt letter confirming your donation and this should be retained for your tax records.
Foster parents give shelter, food and medical attention, if needed, to an animal. Foster parenting is a wonderful way to enjoy the love and attention of an animal without making a permanent commitment. Whether looking for a mellow kitty cat that sleeps all day or an active, ball-chasing dog that you can take on jogs, our goal is to place an animal that fits your needs and wants and it compatible with your lifestyle.