The Women Inmate Social Kitty Retreat (WISKR) program brings sick cats and young kittens into a tier of the South Boise Women’s Correctional Center for around-the-clock care by inmates. WISKR participants have assisted with a range of cases, but they most frequently work with cats recovering from upper respiratory infections, mother cats and their babies, and orphaned kittens that need bottle feeding.

This is particularly important during the spring and summer season when the Idaho Humane Society can easily see more than 100 cats come through its doors in one week. Sending cats into the correctional center to receive the attention they need to become healthy, socialized and ready for their forever homes helps free up space in the shelter and in the homes of other foster families to help even more cats.

Since WISKR launched in January 2016 with assistance from a Best Friends Animal Society grant, it has helped the Idaho Humane Society save hundreds of cats. It has also increased morale in the correctional center and encouraged collaboration among the inmates. As with IDAPI, the WISKR program teaches inmates responsibility, patience, tolerance, persistence, and empathy.

Want more information about WISKR? Contact WISKR@idahohumanesociety.org