Humane Society entices adopters

MASSENA — Barbara J. Nason of Malone lost a bet but gained a cat Sunday at the Massena Humane Society's pet adoption event.

Mrs. Nason had bet her son and daughter that she wouldn't get a new cat after one died recently and another went missing. But the bet was lost when she stopped at the adoption clinic while shopping in the St. Lawrence Centre mall and saw a beige cat named Sparky.

"We fell in love with Sparky," she said. "I'm taking him home today."

Sparky was one of six cats that the Massena Humane Society brought to its adoption clinic Sunday. Since October, the adoption drives have been held from noon to 5 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month at Bark Ave. & Meow Place, in a recently vacated store in the shopping mall. The space is being donated by the shopping center.

On Sunday, groups of shoppers walked around the cages, toting shopping carts and baby strollers. While most were just stopping for a quick look, by midafternoon two cats had been adopted.

"Almost everybody walking by turns and comes in once they see the pets," said Heidi J. Bradish, shelter manager for the group. "We bring up whatever we have for adoption at the time, so what we have varies."

Adoptions cost $100 for puppies, $80 for dogs and $70 for cats and kittens. The money is spent on the general operations of the group's shelter on South Racket River Road.

Each year, the organization gives food and shelter to about 1,000 pets. With about 15 dogs and 30 cats at the shelter now, it is almost at capacity, Mrs. Bradish said.

Since October, 20 pets have been adopted from the clinics. Mrs. Bradish said about 400 pets are adopted from the organization each year, but with the help of the clinic, the group is set to surpass last year's adoption total.

"The first day we did it, it was so successful we ran out and then had to go back to the shelter for more," she said.

The clinic also has a donation station at the front of the store, which generally brings in $200 each month, Mrs. Bradish said. She said the Humane Society banners are displayed in the shop when it is closed, which has also helped to boost adoption and awareness about the organization.