[ad_1]
Welcoming a pet for Christmas
Published on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 10:32 a.m.
Christmas may come early for a few lucky dogs attending the Chattahoochee Humane Society’s adoption event this weekend at Petco in Opelika. Volunteer Dale Fraser said he hopes to see many pets find forever homes on Saturday.
Despite opening 15 outdoor kennels on the hill this fall, the humane society is once again well over capacity. Currently, more than 35 dogs are housed at the shelter, but the shelter only has 16 indoor kennels and 15 outdoor kennels.
As Christmas approaches, shelter staff are hoping for a miracle adoption. Still, Fraser said, “Please don’t shop.” She encouraged people to come meet dogs in need of homes.
That said, Fraser said she encourages families to research pet responsibilities before adopting one.
“A pet is a lifelong commitment,” she said.
Pets are often adopted from shelters as Christmas presents, but eventually return to the shelter as they grow older. Fraser said shelter staff advises families whether to adopt a dog, take the dog home for the weekend, or bring their current pet to a visitation session at the shelter before making a decision. They are encouraging people to come.
“Make sure it’s a good fit for your home,” she said. “Not every dog is suitable for a home.”
With so many dogs in shelters, the humane organization has reduced adoption fees for some dogs to $50. Other pet adoptions are sponsored by people in the community.
“All you have to do is come to the shelter and sign the adoption papers,” she said.
Fraser said the shelter is a revolving door. Even if you get a few dogs through foster homes or adoptions, animal control will bring in more.
“Until there’s a spay/neuter law, it’s always going to be like this,” Fraser said.
All dogs at the shelter, with the exception of puppies, must be spayed or neutered before being adopted. Fraser said he has spayed and neutered 16 dogs in the past few days.
Fraser said the shelter also has a program for keeping pets at home. Shelter staff can provide pet food to owners who cannot afford it. We also offer discounts on spaying and neutering for county residents in certain income brackets.
There is currently one pair of puppies at the shelter. Fraser said the last puppy was born at the shelter on April 11, and the last one was just adopted from its foster home on Wednesday.
[ad_2]
Source link
