Shelter Happenings 2008
Has it really been so long since I've added to this blog? Lots has happened in 2 years but I'll just mention a few highlights. Officers Kelly and Janiece are now "old pros" with 2 years experience under their belts. The Oakdale Animal Shelter continues to have a high adoption rate and a very low euthanasia rate compared to other municipal shelters in the Central Valley and Northern California.
The lousy economic conditions have had a huge impact on the number of animals coming into the shelter both as owner-surrenders and unclaimed strays. Incoming animals 2008 over 2007 is up over 50%. The shelter kennels are overcrowded most of the time despite continuing efforts by volunteers to spread the word about the adoptable pets via weekly posters, and several adoption internet sites such as Petfinder.com.
Recently 2 large dogs were surrendered because the family claimed they could no longer afford to feed them. Earlier this year, 2 small dogs were found abandoned in a garage without food or water. People continue to dump their unwanted animals in the middle of the night in the general vicinity of the shelter in hopes that someone will take them in.
There have been several "repeat offenders". Callie, a sweet spayed young female pit bull, has been a regular off and on all year. Her owner has had financial trouble and has a hard time getting the money together to bail her out every time. But she now has a new home with someone who spends a lot of time with her, and takes her out on a walk everyday. She won't get so lonesome and be so tempted to hop the fence looking for companionship.
We've also had some nice donations coming in. The Tractor Supply Company in Oakdale collects cans and bottles and donates the proceeds to the shelter. An account is now set up with Oakdale Recycle Center so that anyone who wants to collect recycles and donate the cash to the shelter can do so, by just telling the staff at the Recycle Center they want the proceeds to go to the Oakdale Animal Shelter. Last month we got a donation check for almost $40.00. It all adds up.
I'll try to be better at doing more frequent and timely additions to the blog.
Out next adoption day will be at Oakdale Pet Station on Saturday November 8 11am-1pm.
Betsie