Animal Shelter reports increase in cat adoptions and rescue partnerships

The Bedford Animal Shelter Advisory Board meeting held on April 7, 2025, focused on the shelter's performance metrics and animal welfare initiatives over the past year. The meeting provided a detailed overview of the shelter's statistics regarding animal adoptions, returns, rescues, and euthanasia rates.

The discussion began with a comparison of adoption rates for dogs and cats. For dogs, the shelter reported 25 adoptions last year, slightly down to 20 this year. However, the number of dogs returned to their owners decreased from 55 to 49. Notably, the number of dogs rescued increased from 7 to 14, indicating a growing collaboration with rescue organizations. The total dog intake remained relatively stable, with 98 dogs last year compared to 95 this year. The increase in euthanasia was attributed to the intake of aggressive dogs.

In terms of cat adoptions, the shelter saw a positive trend, with adoptions rising from 26 last year to 35 this year. Returns to owners for cats decreased from 7 to 5, while euthanasia rates for cats improved, dropping from 3 to 2. The number of cats sent to rescue also saw a significant increase, from 5 last year to 18 this year, highlighting the shelter's expanding network of rescue partners.

Overall, the meeting underscored the shelter's commitment to improving animal welfare and enhancing partnerships with rescue organizations, which have played a crucial role in increasing the number of animals saved. The board expressed optimism about these trends and the potential for further improvements in the coming year.