Shelter euthanizing fewer animals in 2010

SALT LAKE CITY — An improving economy and free or reduced prices have decreased the number of animals killed in one shelter.

However, 146 cats and 101 dogs have been euthanized in 2010 in the Salt Lake County Animal Shelter at 511 W. 3900 South, according to shelter director Shawni Larrabee. In the first quarter of this year, about one-third fewer cats and one-fifth fewer dogs have been put to sleep compared to the same period in 2009.

Euthanasia rates also have decreased by half from 2007.

The two hardest-to-serve populations for shelters are adult cats and dogs perceived by the public as vicious, Larrabee said. In 2008, Salt Lake County started two programs targeted at those groups.

It started with reduced prices and specials on cats older than six months, and by July 2008, the shelter was giving away all grown cats at no charge. Each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before adoption.

"We started asking whether price was getting in the way," Larrabee said. "The thought process behind it was, people tend to get free cats from everywhere and don't factor in sterilization and vaccination in the cost, so don't think of the shelter."

The free cat program not only helps animals be adopted, but it ensures that animals in the community are not contributing to the problem of kitten overpopulation, Larrabee said.

Salt Lake County's adoption rate for cats had been 618 per year, but by the close of 2008, 1,116 had been adopted.

On the other end of the furry friends gamut, Salt Lake County has had success placing pit bulls and pit bull mixes, Larrabee said. In March, only 7 percent of all dogs at the shelter were put to sleep — a record low.

Larrabee attributes the success to the county Pit Crew program, which uses both volunteers and employees to train pups and owners, find new homes for abandoned animals and help owners with vicious dogs find ways to keep their pets rather than abandoning them. The Best Friends Animal Society is a partner with the county in that effort.

"If we didn't have a program that directly addressed challenges for those dogs, we wouldn't get far," said Larrabee, explaining that the population of pit bulls has boomed in recent years.