Adoptions up at dog shelter; open house Sunday

There won't be a full house during Jefferson County Dog Control's open house Sunday, but Dog Control Supervisor Todd L. Cummings said that's just the way he likes it.

As recently as a few weeks ago the shelter was so overcrowded with dogs, some had to double-up in kennels. The more empty kennels there are, the more dogs are being placed in good homes, he said.

"Just since we put out the open house fliers through the county, we did 31 adoptions," he said. "There's been 53 dogs moved in October, the difference would be owners picking them up."

The open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the dog control office, 21897 County Route 190, Watertown.

As of Thursday, there were 11 adult dogs available for adoption, including some that have been at the dog control office since the early summer months. Nine puppies also will be up for adoption, but not until Sunday's open house.

Mr. Cummings said the cost to adopt an adult dog is $67.50, which includes a $35 spay or neuter deposit and a $10 adoption fee set by the county. If the adopted dog's new owner brings paperwork back to the dog control office which documents the owner got the dog spayed or neutered, they will be refunded the adoption fee and deposit. Puppies cost $52.50 to adopt.

He said the amount of adoptions so far this year is about the same as last year to date. Some people have declined to adopt a dog from the shelter, Mr. Cummings said, because the state suspended its Animal Population Control Program, which gave the dogs' new owners a $30 voucher to get the animal spayed or neutered.

Jessica A. Ziehm, spokeswoman for the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, said the program has been funded by the $3 surcharge received from unspayed or unneutered licensed dogs, as well as some smaller programs. Money became depleted when the state offered the vouchers to low-income families.

"The demand was tremendous, and it was about twice the revenue coming into the program," Mrs. Ziehm said.

"We're suspending the program until we can raise the funds again."

Mr. Cummings said even though the voucher program ended, there are many adult dogs and puppies that need a home, and he's hoping many get adopted Sunday. Gomer, a 2-year-old male hound, has been at the shelter since Aug. 21, and Zoey, a 1-year-old Labrador mix arrived at the shelter Oct. 11.

A yellow-lab named Martin had been at the shelter for six months before he was adopted last week. Mr. Cummings said he hopes the rest of the dogs don't have to wait that long.

Last year, 130 people attended the annual open house.

Mr. Cummings said he hopes this year's attendance surpasses the record of 430 people in 2007.

Sunday's open house, part of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, will feature shelter tours, refreshments, displays from local agencies and businesses and prizes for children.

For more information, call the shelter at 782-9179.