By VICKI BROWN
Now is the time to buy a furry friend.
For the rest of the month of July, Colleton County Animal Services is having half-price adoptions. “We will be offering the 1/2 price adoptions thru the end of July as a way to try and alleviate the overpopulation we are currently experiencing,” said Laura Clark, Colleton County Animal Services manager.
“We currently have 205 kittens in our care with requests from people to take almost 60 more. We have 102 dogs in our care with requests from people to take 28 more,” said Clark.
The shelter wants to remain a no-kill shelter, so animals need to be adopted or fostered.
Dog adoptions are $45 and cat adoptions are $35.
On the average, it costs the shelter roughly $100 to prepare a healthy dog for adoption, and puppies cost more than that. Cats cost the shelter approximately $70 if they are healthy, and kittens are more expensive.
“The dogs and cats that are viewable at our website https://www.colletoncounty.org/animal-shelter-1 are already spayed/neutered, microchipped, and have age-appropriate vaccines. Pets in our care who have not had all of this done yet can be ‘pre-adopted’ and can go home as soon as their surgery is done,” she said.
It is worth a visit to the website to see the exceptional pictures taken of the homeless pets looking for a forever home. The pictures capture the personalities and good natures of these hopeful and friendly animals.
These pets can be of more use to a homeowner than just a furry playmate. According to Vector Security, Burglars like to target homes that are easy to access, and a dog can be the first line of defense to deterring theft.
The bigger the dog, the bigger the deterrent.
Cats also have their uses.
According to Dr. Lauren Baker, veterinarian, cats can be a great long-term solution for pest control.
Unlike professional exterminators, they do not leave dangerous poisons around your home or place of work. If you need to get snakes, rats, mice or other pests under control, there are many ways that cats can help.
Potential pet-parents can stop by the shelter on Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to meet pets, but it is more beneficial to contact Shelley Thomas at shelley.thomas@colletoncounty.org to discuss pet ownership and schedule an appointment. Thomas can also schedule appointments after hours to see pets.
