{"id":2447,"date":"2020-11-06T21:42:16","date_gmt":"2020-11-06T21:42:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kitnipbox.com\/meow\/?p=2447"},"modified":"2023-02-28T08:18:50","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T08:18:50","slug":"helping-shelter-cats-with-donations-its-a-treat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kitnipbox.com\/meow\/index.php\/2020\/11\/06\/helping-shelter-cats-with-donations-its-a-treat\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping Shelter Cats with Donations… It\u2019s a Treat!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Cat<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cats need a lot of support \u2013 especially when they’re waiting to be adopted at an animal shelter. While tender love and care is of utmost importance for these cute kitties while they wait for someone to give them a forever home, there are a few essential items every cat needs to ensure their stay is a bit more comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cat Behavior Expert, <\/strong>Molly DeVoss, Executive Director of Cat Behavior Solutions<\/a>, says there\u2019s a few things to be aware of when donating; a lot of shelters buy their supplies in bulk and may have food contracts, so donating things like food or litter isn\u2019t ideal. One of the best donation items, according to DeVoss, is TREATS<\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCats are highly territorial creatures and when removed from their home (or home on the streets) and put into a crowded shelter, they often become frightened which results in them emotionally shutting down or becoming defensively aggressive,\u201d said DeVoss. \u201cA \u2018high value treat\u2019 is important in gaining trust and bonding with these cats through positive reinforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because treats make great donations, DeVoss said her nonprofit has partnered with Vitakraft\u00ae<\/a>, a leader in the pet industry for over 180 years, to deliver treats to shelters all over. The treats help shelter volunteers connect with cats and establish trust, said DeVoss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCats will make small steps of leaning towards us or sniffing a finger or leaning into a pet, and we reinforce this behavior with Lick n\u2019 Lap Cat Snacks<\/a>,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve tamed\/socialized thousands of feral kittens with this method. I choose Lick n\u2019 Lap over any other brand because it is universally palatable with cats, made with quality ingredients and are low in calories \u2013 purrfect for the seniors as well as kittens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DeVoss said thanks to the generosity from Vitakraft she was able to donate more than 360 treat packages, which is the equivalent to 1,800 single squeeze tube treats, to Dallas Animal Services and Santa Fe Humane Society. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re so happy to have been able to partner with Molly and Cat Behavior Solutions to provide our delicious treats to these hardworking shelters,\u201d said Allyson Schmidt, Marketing and Product Manager at Vitakraft. \u201cWe\u2019re always looking for ways to support our feline friends in need of adoption, as well as help cat lovers better connect with their pets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to treats, DeVoss recommends the following list of donations for anyone looking to give to animal shelters to either use inhouse or give to new cat parents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n