Whether you’re looking to adopt, donate or volunteer, the Lycoming Animal Protection Society wants you.
Richard Lewis started LAPS in Montoursville in 1992, as a local no-kill shelter to protect animals and provide them with a home, food, companionship and medical care.
For the past 15 years, the service LAPS has provided to the community has grown in response to donations from patrons of Lycoming County.
“The purpose is to home and re-home homeless, abused and unwanted cats. If a home cannot be found, we care for the cats until they cross the ‘rainbow bridge,’ ” said Linda Willard, a LAPS board member and volunteer.
All LAPS cats, also called residents, are given a physical examination at the veterinarian’s office upon shelter entry and are tested for feline leukemia, given updated vaccinations, and are spayed or neutered. Kittens not old enough for spaying or neutering are given a certificate for a participating veterinarian who will provide the operation at no extra charge at the cat’s proper age.
The purpose of LAPS, which now is at 3510 W. Fourth St., is to ensure that its residents never again have to worry about being homeless. The organization has a simple form that it asks potential adopters to complete and sign before adoption will be granted. The form has questions regarding residence, as well as questions about animal care and needs.
“The adoption process is fairly easy; we meet the people and watch them interact with the cats and this gives us an idea as to which cat might meet their needs and lifestyle,” said Gwen Uber, board member and volunteer.
As a no-kill shelter, all cats with a good quality of life will have a home with proper veterinary care, regular vaccines, a healthy diet and other necessary care.
“They are given a home to live out their lives and have medical care when needed,” said volunteer Nancy Cohick.
A typical day in the LAPS building consists of feeding, watering and playing. The cats are fed twice a day to avoid overfeeding, about a half cup of feed per meal. Mostly dry food is used to avoid spoilage, and cats with medical conditions or specialty needs are fed according to those needs. About 500 gallons of water a week is used to do laundry, clean litter pans, rinse and clean food and water dishes, and refill water dishes.
“We have 18 regular long-term volunteers, mostly twice daily, and we always have other various volunteers working on school projects or community service,” said Tracy Haas, a board member who is in charge of public relations.
LAPS is run by a volunteer staff, and it is the responsibility of all to coordinate events and shifts, all without a specific “shelter manager.”
“Everyone is juggling their personal lives: jobs, kids, spouse and pets — we’re stretched pretty thin, it’s the cats that keep us all going,” volunteer Kerri Reardon said.
There usually are about 80 residents in LAPS, with a varying adoption rate for the program. Some weeks there are several adoptions; other weeks, none at all.
For those who can’t adopt due to allergies or who already have a pet, but still want to help, the shelter offers a scholarship program that may meet some patrons’ needs.
The Sponsor-Foster Pet Program helps provide funding to continue the care for the cats.
For a $15 donation a month, sponsors will be assured the best possible care for their cat. In emergencies, the funding ensures the ability for operating funds, so the shelter will not be strained.
LAPS will provide each contributor a picture of their special friend and information about the cat. Cats are chosen at random, unless otherwise specified, and the sponsor will be notified if the cat is adopted.
Volunteers always are needed at LAPS. With more help comes more time to benefit the organization.
“We have a very special volunteer, Joy Jones, who is in her 70s and comes in to the shelter three times a week as a volunteer,” said Charlotte Myers, a board member and volunteer.
Donations and volunteer work are what LAPS thrives on to keep the organization more fun and furrier than ever. LAPS has been at the West Fourth Street facility since 1995, but volunteers say donations are needed to secure a new home.
Many LAPS residents are described on the Petfinder Web site, at www.petfinder.org. For more information, call 327-8707.
