Animal shelter keeps Sunday hours

MAT-SU -- Prospective pet owners will continue to have the opportunity to find a pet on the weekend, thanks to the public interest after the Mat-Su Borough Animal Care and Regulation shelter's hours were extended to be open Sundays.

Borough Manager John Duffy told the assembly at its Tuesday meeting that the trial extension of the hours of operation at the shelter has been successful during the past quarter, so the shelter will continue to be open Sundays through the next quarter.

Animal Care and Regulation Chief James Rau said the extended hours have been helpful in moving animals out of the shelter.

According to an activity report distributed as part of Duffy's manager's report, 104 animals were adopted or claimed during Sunday operations between September and November, at an average of more than eight animals a day. During that same period, 62 animals were brought in, averaging just more than five animals a day.

"Staying open on Sunday actually helps," Rau said. "We get more [animals] out than in."

Rau said in the long run, there's not a lot of extra expense involved in opening the shelter on Sunday. He explained that shelter staff must be at the shelter on Sunday to feed, water and care for the animals anyway, so having a second person on hand to help those who stop by isn't such a significant change.

Rau took the opportunity to suggest that those looking to give a pet as a Christmas gift still have the opportunity to do so -- the shelter is running at capacity with both dogs and cats, and animals of many ages and breeds are available. Rau mentioned that approximately 35 puppies are at the shelter, as are several adoptable huskies -- of a more friendly temperament than many sled dogs that come through the shelter, he said -- and all are available for adoption.

"'Tis the season," Rau joked.

As a reminder, many shelters discourage giving pets as gifts. As Rau has stated in the past, if the choice is well thought out, keeping in mind the temperament and responsibility level of the recipient, pets can be a good gift. Impulse purchases, however, can result in problems for both the pet and the recipient.

The shelter is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It was open regular hours on Dec. 24, but the shelter is closed on Dec. 25. The shelter is located of 49th State Street, adjacent to the borough's central landfill.