By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
Pets & People’s local shelter is filled to the brim with animals seeking new “forever” homes.
And the eastern Canadian County humane society will try to thin out its furry population during a week-long adoption special that starts this weekend.
“We have a ton of sweet, loving, adoptable animals who need a family,” Pets & People Executive Director Jena Barber said. “This fall is the perfect time to start a routine by adopting a ‘new’ family member at a discounted price.”
Everyone is being encouraged to open the home to a new dog or cat during Bissell Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” adoption event Oct. 1-8 at the Pets & People Adoption/Rescue Center, 9733 N.W. 4th.
“We have about 140 dogs and cats, including fosters, that are adoptable right now,” Barber shared. “It was such a hot summer, there is an even greater need to find new homes for these animals.”
Pets & People’s facility, just east of Morgan Road between Reno and N.W. 10th, has limited space to keep homeless canines and felines.
“In the shelter itself, we only have room for so many,” Barber explained.
As such, a copious quantity of the pets is staying with “foster” families until permanent placement.
Pets & People regular adoption rates are $130 for dogs and $85 for cats.
“With Bissell Pet Foundation helping cover part of our costs, we’re going to charge $50 for adoptions during this (Empty the Shelters) program,” Barber said.
“If the animal has been with us for six month or longer, we’re going to drop that down to $25. So, that’s a really neat incentive for someone who’s thinking about adopting.”
HEALTHY ANIMALS
Pets & People ensures only healthy animals are adopted. The humane society pays for each animal to be fully vaccinated and spayed or neutered, also testing dogs for heartworms and cats for feline leukemia.
Barber, of Piedmont, recently was named Pets & People’s new executive director. She greatly anticipates the success of her first adoption fair.
“People can make an appointment to come in anytime, and we’ll have a ‘drop-in’ time on Sunday, Oct. 2 from 1-4 p.m. at the shelter,” Barber added.
“This will be a great opportunity to save on the adoption for anyone who’s been thinking about it but hasn’t had the funds – because times are hard for everybody.”
Meanwhile, Pets & People’s animals will be featured during the annual Oklahoma Czech Festival parade this Saturday, Oct. 1 in downtown Yukon. The humane society’s staff and volunteers will have a booth on the festival grounds.
For more information about Pets & People’s Oct. 1-8 Empty the Shelters’ adoption special, call (405) 367-7156.
Visit www.petsandpeople.com/adopt/ for details on adoption. The site features photos and descriptions of all adoptable dogs and cats.
