Letters to the Editor 10/12/2011

To the Editor:

Deschutes County is in danger of losing its only nonprofit, true no-kill cat/kitten rescue sanctuary....CRAFT (Cat Rescue Adoption and Foster Team). The need for services has escalated for several years due to the poor economy and abandoned pets, many irresponsible pet owners, while funding has lagged. CRAFT is the only group that responds to calls from 911, law enforcement and other agencies when rescue/trapping needs to be done. In the past four years, CRAFT has cared for almost 4,000 animals.

CRAFT is all-volunteer and has a very limited budget. CRAFT is not subsidized by taxpayers (government) like the humane society shelters, and all funds go directly to help the animals.

Grants for food, supplies and litter are hard for a small group to get, since there is so much need and competition.

Without an influx of funding, CRAFT is in danger of losing its lease on its sanctuary, and there is no other affordable location available. This building has been a blessing for the cats, where they live communally and in harmony in the various rooms and outside fenced patios. As much as it breaks the volunteers' hearts to do so, for the first time in its existence, CRAFT is now having to turn away cats, and will be adopting out the current population as quickly as possible in the event we have to move out of the building.

We at CRAFT thank those who have supported us over the years. We are sad that without a miracle we will not be able to help most cats needing help in the future. We hope that if you are considering adding a nice cat or kitten, you will visit those we have who are waiting to meet you. See many of them on our website: http://www.craftcats.org.

Bonnie Baker

Chair of the Board of Directors, CRAFT