By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer
A Yukon humane society has found grand success in a new adoption process that offers convenience to pet owners while providing loving homes for animals.
Pets and People has completed 84 animal adoptions – 61 dogs and 23 cats – since March 23 when it started offering a “curbside” service, executive director Amy Young reported Monday.
Yukon’s no-kill humane society has kept a steady pace on its curbside adoptions, tallying 25 last week alone and 23 for the previous week.
Pre-approved adopters may adopt dogs and cats via curbside pickup at the Pets and People facility north of Main Street.
Pets and People’s building is the “old shelter” just west of the City of Yukon’s new animal control facility, 701 Inla.
Recent curbside adoptions include some of Pets and People’s “long-termers” who have been at its shelter more than six months. One pooch found a new “furr-ever” home after more than two years there.
“We’re super-excited about that,” Young said. “These are great animals, but they may have anxiety issues, need additional training or some extra ‘TLC’.
“The people who are adopting them have the time and can help them through their anxiety and separation issues.”
Pets and People started curbside adoptions out of necessity – to maintain social distancing due to COVID-19 concerns while reducing the population at its current facility.
“Like we always have done, we’re screening adopters to make sure they’re a ‘good fit’,” Young said. “And we’re doing that now before they even get to the shelter to meet the animals.
“We want to make sure it’s going to be a solid adoption. When this is all over, we don’t want an influx of animals being returned to us.”
Pets and People Humane Society has found homes for more than 55,000 cats and dogs since it started in the early 1990s.
Pets and People adoption fees are $135 for dogs and $85 for cats. There are discounts for dogs who have been at the shelter more than six months ($60) and for previous Pets & People adopters who want to adopt a “buddy” cat ($20.20).
Plans for Pets and People to construct its own 4,200 square foot rescue center west of the old shelter is “on hold”, Young explained.
“The current economic climate has made it very difficult to raise building funds,” she said. “We will pick that up again as soon as we can.”
FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES
People are encouraged to check out photos and descriptions of all dogs and cats available for adoption at http://www.petsandpeople.com
Anyone seriously interested in a curbside adoption should email info@petsandpeople.com and indicate the specific pet they want to take home. The prospective adopter should provide their contact information and say whether they’ve adopted previously from Pets and People.
- An adoption volunteer will review the email and then respond by email or phone to discuss the person’s interest.
- If Pets and People determines it would be a good placement, the adoption volunteer will send the prospective adopter an online application form to complete.
- Once the adoption form is approved, the volunteer will set up an appointment for the person to come to Pets and People’s shelter, 701 Inla.
- Upon arrival, a shelter staff member will meet with them outside. If they want to adopt a dog, the dog will be brought out on a leash for a walk in the wooded park area. If interested in adopting a cat, then one person at a time will be allowed to visit the cat room.
If the adoption is “a go”, the new owner can pay the adoption fee by cash or check, or online with PayPal or a credit card.
Meanwhile, Pets and People is getting dangerously low on dog and cat food for animals staying at its facility.
“We haven’t had a food distribution (delivery) in six weeks because it’s all being diverted to harder-hit states,” Young said. “We’re on our last two weeks of stored food.
“People can drop off food at our front door or go on-line to donate. Even $5 will help.”
For more information, visit www.petsandpeople.com or call 350-7387.
