Second Chance Cat Rescue reports near-balanced budget, high spay/neuter volume

At the council meeting on March 16, Rachel Christiansen, identified by the mayor as executive director of Second Chance Cat Rescue, presented the shelter’s annual update and statistics.

Christiansen said the shelter received 35 stray cats from within Sheridan city limits, 43 from the county and 37 from outside Sheridan County, and took in 157 transfer animals (including 16 from the local dog and cat shelter). She reported 310 total adoptions last year and described a strategic decision to reduce in-shelter headcount from a 150 capacity goal to an operational target of about 100 animals; the shelter reported 106 animals in care at the time of the presentation. The organization performed 177 spays/neuters for animals that came into the shelter and 362 low-cost community spay/neuter surgeries.

On finances, Christiansen said the shelter’s budgeted income was just under $438,000 and that actual expenses were $435,682, with payroll (43%) and veterinary medical expenses (21.8%) as the largest line items. Major funding partners named in the presentation included Best Friends Animal Society and the Petco Love Foundation, the latter providing vaccines at no cost with the stipulation the shelter not charge for those community vaccinations.

Christiansen thanked community partners and students from Sheridan College federal work-study for volunteer support. Council members thanked her for the report and asked a few clarifying questions about transfers from the dog and cat shelter.