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6:20pm

So many wonderful pets, so few permanent homes

Because of the zootoo contest I have become a more active volunteer at the HSOV and have seen so many beautiful dogs and cats there who would make wonderful pets but unfortunately there are so few permanent homes available or people willing to give them a chance. It's hard to look into those innocent eyes which are begging for attention and to realize that the next time I go to the shelter their time may have run out.

If we were to be fortunate enough to be chosen for the zootoo makeover, it would be a dream to be able to have a spay and neuter facility in that new building whereby we could make a difference in the overpopulation by ensuring that each dog/cat leaving the shelter would not be responsible for new litters of puppies and kittens entering the shelter and starting the cycle all over again. Yet another dream would be to someday have a "no kill" shelter.

We are fortunate to have space available for expansion and good community support (as evidenced by the turnout on April 23rd during the zootoo makeover judging visit). And we have wnderful shelter employees and manager (Cheryl Byers) already in place who are just the best. It is obvious how much personal attention they give to animals in their care since they know each one's name and give them love and attention in addition to providing for physical needs.

Just as in our personal lives, we don't need a big fancy house to make us better individuals. But I truly believe that if we had an updated larger shelter, we could improve the lives of the dogs and cats who end up there though no fault of their own. After all, it's all about them.

p.s. During the zootoo visit, I ended up looking into the eyes of a little beagle who was in an outside kennel who seemed to be listening to the speeches given by Richard Thompson and our own Mayor Michael Mullen. My husband and I went back the next day and brought her back to her permanent home with us. She had been named "Lucy" and is a lovable sweet dog.