With summer in full swing and the school year just around the corner this time of year is typically a hard one at the shelter. Lately there have been an alarming number of sweet, well mannered, loving pets left behind because their families are moving. Although there can be circumstances that make this a necessity sometimes it is just not convenient to pack up and move a once beloved and faithful companion. We can not guarantee that the animal that has devoted its life to you will make it out of the shelter and find a home. After living in a relatively happy comfortable home animals can find the shelter atmosphere frightening and they do not do well physically or emotionally. Even if they were happy and well adjusted in your home they can become depressed, fearful, stop eating, become aggressive and can not be adopted. If you find it absolutely necessary we will do our best but please consider other options for your pet first.
Consider this…there may be a neighbor who enjoyed visiting your dog while they are out walking the neighborhood. Maybe they spent time in your home and have become fond of your companion. We frequently have someone come in and adopt an animal after finding out their neighbor moved and left it at the shelter. They are so surprised that no one asked them if they wanted the animal. Perhaps a neighbor would like to adopt your companion. Have you asked friends that you work with? Consider making a flyer with information about your pet and post it in the employee lunchroom. You never know, someone you work with may be considering adopting a companion but they just did not get to a shelter yet. Consider contacting a rescue. On occasion rescues come to the shelter and take dogs into their care with foster homes until a home can be found. Finding a rescue for your companion rather than using the shelter as a first option is much easier on the animal and frees up a kennel for an animal that just got out of its backyard and will be reclaimed soon.
This is a great time to adopt! Most of our animals have no behavioral issues. They had a happy home, were loved and well taken care of…until…it was time to move.
Whether small or large, young or mature, energetic or couch potato we will be happy to help you find your perfect match. Perhaps because we have more dogs being surrendered than adopted both of the dogs featured last week Auburn our cuddle bug pit bull terrier mix and Roger our intelligent eager to please jogging buddy are still waiting for their perfect match.
We are anxious to have you learn a bit about this week’s featured pets; an energetic Labrador retriever and a fun loving affectionate boxer puppy. Chevy and Tex are hoping you will be eager to meet them in person. Any new companion will take some time to acclimate to a new family and home. Puppies require a lot more of your undivided attention. Puppies are just so cute it is hard to pass them by but please consider your work, home and extra activities schedule including vacations when you are deciding what kind of pet your want to adopt. Sadly there have been too many puppies adopted but returned in just a few days because, “we just did not realize how much time and effort it takes to house train and manage a puppy….my kids are into soccer, I travel for business, we are going on a two week vacation so can’t keep the puppy”. Any type of companion will require you to make plans for their care while you are on vacation. If your lifestyle is especially there are many benefits to adopting an adult companion or better yet a mature companion.
Chevy (ID# A 1639969) is a 2 year old, male, black & white Labrador Retriever mix. He weighs 51.8 pounds. Chevy is a typical young lab. He is a gorgeous well trained boy. Initially quite excited to get out of his kennel he enjoys taking walks. After a game of fetch he is ready to walk nicely on leash. He is smart already knowing the cues for sit, down and he shakes paws. When you attend the training class that accompanies your adoption you will two will be the stars of the class. By participating in class you and Chevy can practice his leash skills, learn more tricks and it is a great way to bond with your new companion. He enjoys petting and affection. He enjoys play time with people and dogs. He has participated in our doggie play groups. He was good and polite with his greetings and immediately began to play. It’s always a great idea to bring in your present companion to meet and greet the potential adoptee just to make sure they will like each other. Everyone wants to have a happy and harmonious home. Our staff found Chevy to be “family friendly”. We are always amazed when an exceptionally nice dog like Chevy is not reclaimed by his family after getting lost. Their loss will be a precious gift in someone’s life. Lifetime devoted companion, loving affectionate buddy and play mate? Come meet Chevy at our Eastside location.
Tex (ID# A 1698780) is a 7 month old, male red/gold & white Boxer mix. He presently weighs 32 pounds. He has a bit of growing to do but will be a very nice size boy. Tex is all puppy but he is not a wild child. He is pretty good on leash for a young boy his age. He is attentive to his person so attending the free training classes and some practice during your daily walks around the neighborhood will do the trick. He is smart and already knows sit. Tex loves to play with toys and also enjoys our doggie play groups. He can be a little shy initially when meeting a new larger dog. Once they say hello and play bows are presented Tex relaxes and doggie play begins. He enjoyed play with a couple cattle dogs nearly his size and several of our Labrador mixes. Tex is a very sweet dog that enjoys affection and gives sweet kisses. Tex came to our shelter as a stray the end of June. We really expected he would find a home very quickly. He is calm quiet and well behaved in his kennel usually just lying in his bed until someone approaches the door to say hello. Perhaps he just does not get noticed because he is such a quiet little guy. Tex has lovely white markings and the black eyeliner draws attention to his soulful eyes. You can meet our sweet puppy Tex at the Eastside location.
