Adopt a friend for the holidays

Since it re-opened in May 2009, the Mat-Su Borough Animal Care and Regulation Shelter on 49th State Street near the Palmer landfill has become the perfect place to be during the holidays.

The animal shelter is not a completely brand new building. It was refurbished last year and had a grand opening in August. For people who remember this shelter as the old, small pound they will not recognize it. There are 67 dog kennels, 42 cat kennels and 72 livestock stalls. This does not even include the rollaway kennels, the non-adoptable animals and that there may be more than one animal in each kennel.

There are two entries to the shelter: drop-offs or adoptions. When an animal is dropped off it has to wait three days under observation before being adoptable. If the animal has identification of an owner, it has six days to be picked up. Animals are classified into three groups when they arrive. Observation is the typical classification, which is the stage all animals go through to wait the three-day period. Isolation is where infected animals that are contagious are kept. Finally there is quarantine. This is typically for dogs that are too aggressive and bite. These dogs are unadoptable and have to wait three days before euthanasia, or six days if there is an owner. The reason a dog would be quarantined would be by the owner’s neglect. It is not uncommon for these owners to not retrieve their pets because they do not want to pay the euthanasia fee.

When entering through the adoptions area there is a cattery, puppy pens and adult dog kennels. The cattery was filled in the fall, the main time for kitten litters. For puppies, the main litter season is in spring, Christmas time is the second. Last year when the shelter was under construction, puppies were sent to the Dog and Puppy Rescue. Now, however, the shelter is booming with adorable puppies. With new puppies being released every day, this is a prime time to make a family addition. Adult dogs are also being released every moment, and the community must remember these abandoned animals need a secure home just as much as puppies.

Christmas is a time for giving and nothing gives more than a loving companion.

“If it is a carefully thought-out decision, pets can make great gifts,” said shelter veterinarian Katrina Zwolinski.

While a pet is an ultimate gift for some people it should not be a sudden decision, and the owner needs to be prepared for the responsibility.

“We have seen people rush into adopting a dog for someone and soon enough these dogs return to the shelter,” said Zwolinski.

Adopting a living animal is making a commitment and this should be taken very seriously. To adopt a dog, the animal needs shots, to be spayed or neutered and have a microchip, which comes to $119.50. Animals are not cheap or disposable.

If adopting an animal is not a wise decision right now, the animal shelter has a volunteer program. An application and class are required to make sure the volunteers are serious. While there are many names on the list of volunteers, only about 40 people are active on a regular basis.

“I really like volunteering at the shelter because I get to help the animals that don’t have homes yet. I walk dogs, play with puppies, and occasionally I can watch the veterinarian during surgery,” said sophomore Makenna Wyatt of Colony High School. For hardworking animal lovers, volunteering this holiday break may be the perfect way to spend the next two weeks.

With the holidays coming, pet lovers should not forget the animal shelter. After being refurbished, this center is a great place for the community to find their new furry friends.

Casey Branch is a sophomore at Colony High School.