“Home for the Pawlidays”: Humane Society hosts 25 days of adoptions

By Hope Smith

Meet Monster, a 7-year-old black lab whose name might describe his size, but not his personality.  He’s more of a teddy bear.  His owners gave him to the Lexington Humane Society when they could no longer care for him and he is looking for a new family to love.

Two-year old Sid the cat was found wandering the streets alone and has been waiting for someone to take him home for over five months.

Inseparable Terrier mixes Damien and Drew have been together so long they’re practically brothers.

The Lexington Humane Society has cared for them for over 570 days – long enough for Damien to give another animal at the shelter a life-saving blood transfusion – after their owners had to give them up for adoption due to a foreclosure.

In these tough economic times, pet owners are finding it increasingly difficult to care for their animals, and often turn to shelters when they can no longer afford to keep their pets.

About 38 percent of recent owner surrenders have been attributed to the economy, said Alisa Oerther, the Lexington Humane Society’s development coordinator.

“People are downsizing because of the economy,” Oerther said.  “People can’t always afford to take care of an animal right now.”

This is when owners must surrender their pets to shelters.

The Lexington Humane Society currently houses 270 more animals than were housed at this time last year, and there have been 224 fewer adoptions.
Still the shelter makes room and provides care for pets like Monster, Sid, and Damien and Drew.  Care is provided for more than 500 animals, to be exact.
All of these animals are ready for adoption and could potentially become good holiday gift ideas and great lifetime companions.

Instead of spending a big chunk of money on a puppy from a breeder or a kitten from a pet store, adopting an animal who is affordable, housebroken, socialized and greatly in need of a loving home could be a better option.

“Pets can be great gift ideas, just not as surprises,” Oerther said.  “Come out, check out the shelter first, bring the person you’re thinking of buying a pet for and make sure it will work.”

Any of the pets featured in the shelter’s “Home For The Pawlidays” program would be a gift that keeps on giving.

“Home For The Pawlidays” highlights one animal per day during the 25 days before Christmas on the Humane Society’s Web site, Facebook page and Twitter.  Here you can find a picture of the daily pet along with a description of the pet’s personality and background.

When someone gives up an animal, the Humane Society makes sure to collect as much information as possible so the pet can be matched with the right people when adopted.

The adoption application process helps pair pets with the individuals and the environments that they need, and the Lexington Humane Society keeps all healthy, adoptable animals until they find that “forever home.”

“Kittens and puppies are often adopted faster, but I think older animals are better for families,” Oerther said.  “We know if they’re good with kids and good with other animals.”

Any animal adopted from the shelter will have had all the necessary shots at the time, will be spayed or neutered, and will have a microchip that can enable owners to locate lost pets quickly.

If you think pet ownership is not for you, there are other ways you can enjoy spending time with animals and helping them find homes.  Foster care and volunteering are ways to be involved without all the responsibility that comes with owning a pet.

“Foster care is a great way to test out if you can have an animal,” Oerther said.  “We often need foster homes for special needs animals and young animals.”

Volunteers give their time to the Humane Society and are always needed.  Animals waiting for homes need to be brushed and played with, their cages need to be cleaned and the shelter is always hosting events at which volunteers are greatly appreciated year-round.

“Our volunteers are awesome. We couldn’t be an organization without volunteers,” Oerther said.

Around this time of year, organizations often see an increase in donations.  The Lexington Humane Society is always grateful for monetary donations, food, bleach, towels and blankets, Oerther said.

The shelter’s store “Pampered Paws Boutique” is a great place to shop for presents for pets and owners alike, and part of the proceeds helps care for the animals.

The boutique has mugs, clothing for people and pets, toys, and other great gift ideas.  But Oerther said the greatest mutual gift between you and the shelter is always the gift of adoption.

“If some of these animals got adopted that would be the best holiday gift to us,” Oerther said.