Shelter seeking fosters, those interested in adopting
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
Pet Corner
Pets of the Week: Marly and Momo, a pair of Great Pyrenees mixes, are this week’s featured Pets of the Week from the Coosa County Animal Shelter. Photos submitted
This puppy, brought in Tuesday, is the latest addition to the Coosa County Animal Shelter. The puppy is currently on a 7-day stray hold. Photo submitted
The Coosa County Animal Shelter has been rather busy lately, even reaching its capacity and having to stop taking in any dogs or cats until some can be fostered or adopted to make room for more animals in need.
The featured Pets of the Week this week are Marly and Momo, male and female Great Pyrenees mixes. These two came in as a pair that have actually been roaming the area for about a year. The kind gentleman that brought them in actually had the female, Marly, spayed.
The shelter staff says that they need a large fenced-in area so they have room to run and play while safely roaming their own property, and it would be great if they could be adopted together so that the shelter does not have to split up the pair. From observations at the shelter, their temperaments seem great. Maybe these two big sweethearts would fit into your family?
While it has been a busy time at the shelter, it has also been an exciting time. Last Saturday was a play day, and all of the shelter’s dogs were able to choose their own toys from a pile of available toys. How fun! The dogs were clearly excited with their new toys they got to pick for themselves.
Currently every dog and cat at the shelter is available for adoption, with the exception of one puppy brought in Tuesday who is on a mandatory 7-day stray hold. All the other animals have passed their 7-day stray holds and are now adoptable, so this would be a great time to visit the shelter and look for a new furry friend to add to your family, or perhaps visit and play with the animals.
The Coosa County Animal Shelter’s biggest needs right now are cleaning supplies and laundry detergent. The shelter’s water heater was connected Wednesday, so they can start washing blankets for the animals.
Also, February is Responsible Pet Ownership Month. Below are guidelines from the American Veterinary Medical Association. Owning a pet is a privilege and should result in a mutually beneficial relationship. The benefits of pet ownership come with responsibilities which include:
- Lifelong care of the pet. This means committing to the relationship for your pet’s entire life.
- Selecting a pet that is suited to your home and lifestyle and avoiding impulsive decisions.
- Recognizing that owning a pet(s) requires an investment of time and money.
- Keeping only the type and number of pets for which you can provide an appropriate and safe environment. This includes appropriate food, water, shelter, health care, and companionship.
- Animals that spend extended periods of time outside require habitats that protect their health, safety and welfare. Outdoor confinement of an animal should include provisions to minimize distress or discomfort to the animal and assure access to appropriate food, water and shelter from extreme weather conditions.
- Ensuring pets are properly identified (e.g., tags, microchips, or tattoos) and that their registration information in associated databases is kept up-to-date.
- Adhering to local ordinances, including licensing and leash requirements.
- Helping to manage overpopulation by controlling your pet’s or pets’ reproduction through managed breeding, containment, or spay/neuter. Establishing and maintaining a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
- Providing preventive (e.g., vaccinations, parasite control) and therapeutic health care for the life of your pet(s) in consultation with, and as recommended by, your veterinarian.
- Socialization and appropriate training for your pet(s) to facilitate their well-being and the well-being of other animals and people.
- Preventing your pet(s) from negatively impacting other people, animals and the environment. This includes proper waste disposal, noise control and not allowing pet(s) to stray or become feral.
- Providing exercise and mental stimulation appropriate to your pet’s or pets’ age, breed and health status.
- Include your pets in your planning for an emergency or disaster, including assembling an evacuation kit.
- Making arrangements for the care of your pet when or if you are unable to do so.
- Recognizing declines in your pet’s or pets’ quality of life and making decisions in consultation with your veterinarian regarding appropriate end-of-life care (e.g., palliative care, hospice, euthanasia).
The Coosa County Animal Shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. It is located in Stewartville at 5520 Coosa County Road 41, Sylacauga, 35151, next to the Water Authority building. The shelter can be reached at 256-369-1222.