The CATalyst Council today announced Better Together Animal Alliance (BTAA), an animal welfare organization in Ponderay, Idaho, as the recipient of its inaugural grant.
Established in 2022, the grant program was created to increase access to care and subsequent medicalization of companion cats. BTAA was selected for a $20,000 grant to enhance data collection of its helpline services, to assess the impact of telehealth options on reducing the relinquishment of cats to the shelter, and to serve as a model for other helpline services.
“BTAA has a strong record of innovative programming, and we are excited about the learning that will come from additional data collection and analysis of their helpline,” said Dr. Jane Brunt, Executive Director of CATalyst Council. “The opportunity to use the insights from the data collection and analysis to help more cats not just at BTAA, but at animal welfare organizations everywhere is extremely encouraging.”
BTAA serves cats, dogs, and the community in northern Idaho. Founded in 1993, their programs support people and their pets to prevent unnecessary owner surrenders, sheltering lost pets, and providing a safe and enriching environment for pets to stay in while they wait to find new homes. BTAA serves approximately 2400 stray or surrendered animals every year and over 6000 pets through community-based programs. BTAA is also the founder of Home To Home, a nationwide virtual platform to keep animals out of the shelter through direct home placement, which is now used in 120 shelters in twenty-three states and helps over 46,000 animals annually.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant from CATalyst Council and thankful for its investment in partnering with organizations to find new ways to help keep cats out of shelters and in their homes. The grant will help us expand our knowledge so we can more effectively serve families and keep more of them together, which is our focus,” said Mandy Evans, Executive Director of BTAA.
The CATalyst Council is accepting applications for its 2023 grant program, which will be awarded in the winter of 2024.
