LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Pet owners who claim their stray animal at the Louisville Metro Animal Services's (LMAS) Harshaw Family Foundation Animal Shelter won't be required to pay redemption fees. According to a release, LMAS was able to waive the fees due to a $33,000 donation from the nonprofit organization Friends of Metro Animal Services (FOMAS), the sole fundraising entity for LMAS.
What You Need To Know
- Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) waives redemption fees for stray pets
- LMAS was able to waive the fees due to a donation from Friends of Metro Animal Services (FOMAS)
- Pets who enter LMAS's shelter must be vaccinated, microchipped, spayed/neutered
- LMAS helped reunite 945 animals with their owners last year
“Most people don’t have extra money laying around after the holidays, so the start of the new year is already a tough time financially for many families. Combine that with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more likely a stray pet will go unclaimed because the owner is worried about the bill,” said Ashley Book, LMAS interim shelter director. “In most cases, returning a stray pet to its owner is the best possible outcome, and we won’t be tasked with rehoming a pet that already has a home.”
The organization has waived the fees before. During the holiday season, LMAS waived redemption fees due to funding secured by FOMAS. LMAS returned 73 pets to their owners; however, funding was quickly exhausted.
“We found owners were more likely to claim their pet when they knew they wouldn’t be charged,” said Book. “We’re thankful FOMAS has stepped up again to provide funding and help stray pets find their way home.”
LMAS helped reunite 945 animals with their owners last year.
“Families in our community have experienced furloughs, job loss, and then to lose a pet is extremely traumatic and upsetting,” said FOMAS Executive Director Susanna Westerfield. “We want to help reunite pets with their families, and we can thank our supporters for making that possible by donating selflessly to our year-end fundraising campaign during uncertain times.”
The Louisville Animal Ordinance sets redemption fees that help pay for the care pets receive at the shelter. Each pet must be vaccinated upon entering the shelter as well as microchipped and spayed or neutered.
Owners can claim their impounded stray pet from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Harshaw Family Foundation Animal Shelter, located at 3528 Newburg Rd.
The fees will only be waived for pet owners with no previous violations. Court fees will not be waived. LMAS will work with owners who have outstanding balances and want to reclaim their pet.