Fort Wayne, IN – Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control will celebrate “Kitten Week” July 5th through July 11th to find more foster families and raise money to support the foster program at the shelter. Adoption fees for kittens will also be waived this week to make more room for incoming animals.

So far this year 664 animals have gone through the foster program, 599 of which were cats and kittens. At this moment more than 220 animals are currently out in foster homes.

The foster department relies solely on donations and grants to provide life-saving care to the most at-risk animals in our care. More than 1,550 animals were saved by foster families last year, nearly five times the number of animals fostered five years ago.  

The need for fostering continues to grow in our community and is only possible by the generous support of citizens. “Kitten Week” is a social media campaign that will feature opportunities for citizens to learn about becoming a foster, get a behind-the-scenes look at how our foster team works to provide the best outcome for animals, and will give citizens the chance to help save more lives of at-risk animals in our community.

To view the shelter’s wish list click HERE.

Click HERE to follow “Kitten Week” on FWACC’s Facebook page or HERE to follow along on Twitter.

Interested in fostering? Learn more about how to apply and guidelines HERE. 

FORT WAYNE, IN – With the Fourth of July soon approaching, Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control urges pet owners to take extra precautions to keep their pets safe and comfortable.

Summer months, especially around the Fourth of July, are the busiest time of year for animal shelters. To ensure your pets stay safe at home this holiday, here are some helpful tips:

• Keep your pets inside in a confined room with curtains over any windows.
• Try playing calming music or playing Animal Planet on the TV.
• Give your pets enrichment and their favorite toys so they can keep their minds busy and not focused on the loud fireworks. Try filling a toy with peanut butter or various treats.
• Some pets are more anxious than others. We recommend talking to your veterinarian to see if any medication could aid in keeping your pet’s stress level down.
• If you have cats, we recommend purchasing and using a non-sponsored product called Feliway. It puts out a calming pheromone that is unique to only cats.
• If you need to take your dog outside to use the bathroom, make sure they are wearing a properly fitted collar or harness while they are leashed even if you have a fence.
• Double check your fence to make sure there are no openings or loose areas, as well as checking that all latches are secure.
• Make sure all pets are wearing up-to-date I.D. tags on their collar.
• Make sure your pet is also microchipped and that the information is current. FWACC offers microchipping for just $15. To check to see if your pet’s microchip is up-to-date, visit our website.

While we understand you might want your dog(s) to be a part of the festivities, it can be overwhelming for many dogs. A stressed or anxious dog is more likely to try to run away or even bite. For the safety of you, your family, and your dog(s), please keep them safely inside your home.

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control will be closed Monday, July 4 for the holiday. If your dog or cat happens to get loose, start looking immediately. File a lost pet report through Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control, post to Lost Dogs of Fort Wayne’s Facebook or Lost Cats of Fort Wayne, and check our website daily for current housed stray animals. Lost pets will be able to be picked up starting Tuesday, July 5 when the shelter reopens at 11 a.m.  If you find a lost pet it’s important to get it checked for a microchip at a veterinarian’s office, pet store or by an Animal Control Officer so its owner can be contacted.

FORT WAYNE, IN - Black Forest Café owners Julie and Emily Pressler, Animal Care & Control staff, and city officials gathered June 9 to celebrate the Grand Opening of the café that will have cats from Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control available for adoption.

The whimsical German-themed cat café is the first of its kind in Fort Wayne. The mother-daughter duo are hoping to create a relaxing space for people to come enjoy specialty beverages and a variety of pastries; along with the option to visit for an hour in a cozy room with adoptable cats.

“ We are so excited to share the joy that cats bring through a unique and fun experience” owners Julie and Emily Pressler said. 

Customers can walk in and get a crafted coffee drink sourced from Old Crown. A separate room will house the adoptable cats. Guests can pay $10 for an hour session in the cat room. Guests can plan ahead by booking a time slot to visit the cats online. No reservation is needed to visit the café side of the business.

All the cats at the café are available for adoption through Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control. As the largest open access shelter in northeast Indiana, the shelter is often overwhelmed with cats during warmer months.

“We are so excited to partner with Julie and Emily to offer another avenue of adoption for cats in our care, “ Animal Care & Control Director Amy-Jo Sites said. “More cats come through our doors than any other animal and we’re always looking for ways to ensure every healthy, adoptable animal has a positive outcome. This unique opportunity is a great addition to our life-saving efforts.”

Black Forest Cat Café is located in the JoAnn Plaza at 4716 Coldwater Road. To learn more about the café click HERE. To learn more about adopting from Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control click HERE.