By ARABELLA SERRATA
Staff Writer
The Isabel Y. Garcia Animal Shelter is one of a few no-kill shelters in Port Isabel. Consistent adoptions are needed to ensure shelters can efficiently care for the animals.
According to the Rio Grande Valley Humane Society’s official website, spring is the beginning of kitten season, the time of year when most kittens tend to be born. “Though, kittens can be born year-round. The vast majority are born during the spring and end in the fall,” reads the website.
This burst in kitten populations can lead to overcapacity for many shelters, making proper care and housing difficult. “While many shelters have foster and rescue partnership programs, others may not have the ability to care for very young kittens which results in many kittens losing their lives,” stated the Society.
While the Humane Society looks at the general RGV animal population, shelters like Isabel Garcia focus primarily on Port Isabel. “We only take in animals that correspond to the city of Port Isabel,” said Teo Cisneros, an employee at animal control and the animal shelter.
“I know Port Isabel is well known for having cats around the city,” said Cisneros. According to Cisneros, adoptions at the shelter are free. Interested parties can leave a donation when taking their animals home. “All the animals we have are free. They come with their rabies shot, are sprayed, neutered, and are microchipped,” said Cisneros.
The Shelter primarily benefits from donations of money and supplies. “We have a lot of people that leave food, towels, and blankets,” said Cisneros. He added that these donations help the shelter during harsh weather conditions.
According to the Shelter’s official website, they can microchip pets by appointment for $25. Owners can surrender their animal if necessary or adopt an animal on-site. Cisneros said the process of adoption includes a two-week fostering period. If the fostering period ends well, the adoptee can take the animal to their forever home.
Isabel Y. Garcia is a no-termination animal shelter. According to their website, no animal in their care will be euthanized except for “cases of severe injury or aggression.” They are located at 262 Woodys Lane in Port Isabel.
Pictures of available animals can be found on their website, iyganimalshelter.wixsite.com.