A new program at the Boone County Jail is pairing inmates with surrendered and rescued cats, some from abusive and unpleasant backgrounds.
'Cuffs and Collars' is a joint venture between the Boone County Sheriff's Office and the Humane Society for Boone County. It's starting small with just four cats and four inmates.
However, organizers hope to grow the program soon.
If goes well, the inmates could be bottle feeding newborn kittens as soon as this Spring.
It was a moving moment as the cats were introduced to their new home inside the cell block. The tough-looking, tattooed inmates seemed to immediately let their guard down as they got to hold their furry new cellmates for the first time.
"It's kind of a companionship between us and the animals." Said inmate Aaron McNut. "It's not only beneficial for the animal but it's also beneficial for us. We're not always in contact with family. Sometimes we'd just like to have something else to occupy our time, and do the right thing too," McNut said.
Mixing prisoners with pets in state penitentiaries has been proven to lower the anxiety of prisoners, and lower the incidence of violence among inmates. Jail staff is also looking forward to seeing the change the animals bring to the Boone County Jail.
McNut believes he and the other inmates, all of whom volunteered to take part, will learn a lot from the new program, "Oh, definitely, it will probably humble me and probably calm me down in a lot of ways. There's a lot I still have to learn about what all it can do for me and what all I can do for these animals."
The animals are able to roam from cell to cell within the designated cell block. Humane Society for Boone County supplies the litter, bowls and food. The inmates provide the rescued animals with 24/7 companionship.
The Humane Society for Boone County rescues more than 300 abandoned, neglected and needy animals each year.
