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11/30/2007: "matchmaker matchmaker"
The latest issue of ASPCA Winter 2007 has announced the new ASPCA "Meet Your Match" and has taken the cat adoption world by storm. Doctor Emily Weiss, Senior Director of Shelter Behavior Programs, and researcher of the Meet Your Match program, states that the Felin-ality part of the program aimed at cats benefits adopters, shelter staff and most of all the cats. By assessing the cat's behavior and interest in play, exploration, "talking" and being the center of attention, shelter experts can predict how the cat will behave once adopted. Cats are categorized in one of 9 "feline-alities" that fall into a tri-color coded system. Potential adopters are asked to fill out surveys to identify which feline-alities they are most compatible with. Initial beta testing showed up to a 46 percent increase in adoptions and returns and euthanasia decreased by up to 40 percent. This program follows the introduction of the successful Canine-ality and Puppy-ality programs based on the same premise. The Meet your Match programs are avaialble to shelters nationwide.-ed

