The Pet Fund program Companion Animal Touching Seniors® (CATS) is available for all partner shelters or rescues to use. 

To use the CATS® name - - - the program must have the following components:

• Targeted to Senior Citizens
• Events are conducted at Senior Citizens housing or centers
• Cats (can include dogs) can be adopted or must be fostered for 2 months
• Fostered animals are provided with supplies – litter pan, litter, food, food dish, medications, leash, collar
• The charge is minimum but can not exceed $20 for adoption
• Animal is Spayed/Neutered
• Shelter/Rescue agrees to take back an animals after 2 months if the senior requests.

The CATS® program is subsidized by the agency administering the program.  Especially due to the number of homeless cats this program offers an option for placing the animal out of the shelter/rescue foster system and into an individuals home.  It is very unusual that an animal fostered in this program is returned to the shelter/rescue.  The program offers the senior a “no-risk” opportunity since they have the option to return the animal.  Some costs of the program are off set by savings in the reduction of care time.  Other expenses can be offset by donations of supplies.

A description and program package as used by the Oakland Pet Adoption Center are available as a model.