Andrew Ross was a University of Chicago student 20 years ago when he took advantage of a discounted fee to adopt Zucchini, a 1-year-old red tabby from Community Animal Rescue Effort in Evanston. In honor of beloved pet, which passed away in September, Ross made a cash donation to C.A.R.E. so that others can save money when adopting a cat.
Ross’ donation will set up “Zucchini’s Gift,” a program in which 10 cats will be offered for adoption at a reduced fee of $15, instead of the usual $100. The 10 cats chosen will be ones that are either older or have a medical condition — two factors that shelter staff said hamper adoption efforts.
“We hope this will make someone consider a cat they might not have considered,” said Erin Marcus, a C.A.R.E. volunteer. While Zucchini was not considered “old” when adopted by Ross, the cat became a dear companion to Ross as he traveled across the country for work.
“He was the most tolerant and lovingly social cat,” Ross said. “As cats get older, a lot get more mellow and social. He was always friendly, but got nicer as time went on.”Ross’ donation comes at a time when C.A.R.E. is experiencing a spike in its cat population. Marcus said the shelter currently houses between 35 and 38 cats, but that number was as high as 50 just a month ago.
“This is some of the highest totals we’ve had in some time,” she said of the current cat population. Fewer people are adopting cats, she said, and more are giving up their pets, possibly due to the struggling economy.
Room at the shelter is tight, Marcus said, with 25 cats currently on a waiting list to join the shelter’s population of animals available for adoption. “Being a small shelter makes it difficult to help all the families we would like,” Marcus said.