November 29, 2006

Open your Home – Adopt a Pet from the Humane Society

Ernie is just one of many pets at the Humane Society of Delaware County looking for a permanent home. Photo courtesy of http://www.delawarecohumanesoc.org/

For many people, a beloved cat or dog is another member of the family. If you’d like to expand your family, consider adopting a pet from the Humane Society of Delaware County.

According to Brandon Clark, director of the Humane Society of Delaware County, there is currently a wide variety of cats and dogs ready for a home. “If we don’t have the type of pet you’d like, you can give us a wish list, and we’ll call you when that pet is available,” he says.

If you don’t have a particular breed in mind, Clark says people can simply stop by the Humane Society and visit with the pets. “Most of the time the pets will pick you,” he says. For Clark and the other staff members, placing a pet with the right person or family is a priority.

“We encourage people to spend time with some of the pets,” says Clark. “If it’s a dog, go walk it and play with it — don’t just pick one you think is pretty and leave.”

There are times when a person or family might not be ready to adopt a pet. “Adoption is very serious and shouldn’t be taken lightly,” says Clark. “It’s a long-term commitment.”

Common reasons people surrender their animals to the Humane Society include allergies, moving, or financial troubles. Clark urges those considering adoption to think about issues in their lives that may affect caring for a pet. The Humane Society Web site offers a quiz to see if the time is right for adopting a pet.

Clark notes that people who have recently lost a pet may not be ready for adopting. “You can never replace a pet,” he says.

If you’re confident you’re ready for the responsibility of caring for a pet, adoption fees are:

• $95 for dogs over 6 months
• $115 for dogs under 6 months
• $60 for cats over 6 months
• $85 for cats under 6 months

Fees include costs such as heartworm testing for dogs, feline leukemia testing, and rabies vaccination.

Clark says there is currently a discount for adopting cats because there are so many cats at the Humane Society. “Also, we’re offering Santa Claus delivery on December 24,” he says. “If you pay $50 over whatever the adoption fee is, I’ll deliver your pet to your home on the 24 dressed as Santa Claus.”

If you’d like to help the Humane Society, but adoption isn’t possible for you right now, there are other ways you can support the organization. “Donations are always welcome, but you also might come and spend time with the animals — give them attention and play with them,” Clark says.

The Humane Society also has a wish list of items on its Web site you could donate to help daily operations.

For more information about helping the Humane Society of Delaware County or adopting a pet, call Brandon Clark at 740-369-7387 or 866-319-7387.

The Humane Society of Delaware County is four miles west of Sunbury and six miles east of downtown Delaware. The shelter is closed on Mondays and open 1-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday; and 12-4 p.m. on Sunday.

— Ericka Kurtz