Humane societies and animal shelters in Mississippi, Washington and Michigan recently announced that they will begin using the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match family of adoption programs designed to match potential pet owners with the ideal type of cat or dog. The research-based programs, sponsored by Iams brand pet foods, aim to increase adoption rates and reduce return rates at animal shelters.
“Animals in shelters are obviously most at-risk when it comes to companion animals,” said ASPCA president and CEO Ed Sayres. “The ASPCA’s Meet Your Match enables organizations across the country to give these animals the second chance they so genuinely deserve by fostering an environment conducive to successful, permanent adoptions.”
The stable of Meet Your Match adoption programs assesses the behaviors and personalities of cats, kittens, dogs and puppies, then assigns the animals one of nine different “-alities,” grouped in three different categories. Categories include the relaxed “couch potato,” the curious “busy bee” and the action-hero type “go-getter.” Humane societies can then use these categories to best match potential pet owners with the type of pet they seek for their homes.
The shelters adopting the new programs for use in their areas include the Humane Society of South Mississippi, the Spokane (Wash.) Humane Society, Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service, SpokAnimal, Washington Animal Rescue League and the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. For more information on the Meet Your Match family of adoption programs, visit the ASPCA’s website.