SHINNSTON, W.Va. — The Humane Society of Harrison County is celebrating Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month by helping pets find their furr-ever home.
Humane Society Director Frankie Dennison said their main goal for Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month is to get more people to visit the shelter.
“We want to highlight these dogs that we are promoting for adoption to just show how special a rescue dog is,” Dennison said. “They’re amazing creatures. A lot of them come from bad backgrounds, but dogs aren’t like humans. They usually let go of the past, and they look forward to a great loving future when they can find a forever home.”
Most of the Humane Society’s rescues come from Harrison County Animal Control, which saves the dog from ethunasia.
“As soon as we have an adoption, we go and pull another dog, and that saves their life,” Dennison said. “It’s an amazing opportunity for someone to do something as simple as adopt a dog, and they’re saving dog lives.”
Dennison said even some of the biggest animal lovers can sometimes be hesistant of adopting a shelter dog, as opposed to buying a new puppy, because of the pet’s uncertain background.
“We don’t know their background, probably 85 percent of the time,” she said. “Here at the shelter, we try to test them with other dogs, we try to test them with cats and kids. We put them in different scenarios so we can give the person adopting as much information as we can about that dog’s personality. The only thing we have to do is make sure the new owners provide proof that they have enough space in their new home or if they live in a No Restriction Dog Breed apartment so we know that they are definitely welcome in their new home.
For those who remain uncertain, the Humane Society of Harrison County does offer a “foster child” program.
“They can take the dog home for up to five days, and that way they can make sure that dog is going to fit their lifestyle, whether it be that they have an apartment or they have another dog, a cat or a kid,” Dennison said. “We want to make sure that dog is a perfect fit.”
The Humane Society of Harrison County averages about 800 animals that come through the facility each year.
“Obviously we have certain times of the year where we have more. Spring is usually what we call puppy season, and we’ll probably hit another puppy season around the holidays,” Dennison said. “In the summer, dogs run off a lot, and kittens are higher in the summer.
“Winters are normally quiet, which is a good thing,” she said. “It gives us time to regroup.”
While the facility houses only cats and dogs, that certainly doesn’t mean that they are void of unique pets.
“We’ve gotten purebred dogs. People often think they have to buy purebreds, but that is absolutely not true,” Dennison said. “Oftentimes we even have very unique cats. We just had a snowshoe cat just a couple weeks ago.”
The cost for adoption is $95 for dogs over 1 year and over 30 lbs. and $150 for dogs under 1 year and under 30 lbs.
“And with that cost, you’re getting a dog that’s ready to go,” Dennison said. “They’re coming with their vaccinations, they are already spayed and neutured, and a lot of times, if dogs come in covered with ticks or that sort of thing, they get the needed veterinary care before they leave.”
The Harrison County Commission provides the facility with a $20,000 grant each year to help provide spay and neuter service for pets in the public. Each animal that comes through the facility is spayed/neuter as well.
For those unable to adopt a pet of their own, the Humane Society of Harrison County is always looking for volunteers.
“I’m very fortunate to have a staff, but it’s a lot of cleaning every day,” Dennison said. “We are in here at 8 o’clock every morning, and we clean until about 10:30 … We love for people to come and socialize with the animals.”
For more information, call (304) 592-1600 or visit www.hshcwv.org