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- Caring for a pet can be a rewarding and fun experience. The unconditional love a pet can provide can enrich us in our daily lives.
If you are in the market for a new furry friend, adoption of an animal is always an option. The Dessin Animal Shelter, located at 138 Miller Drive in Honesdale, has a bevy of lovable animals ready for new homes. The shelter is a nonprofit organization and is funded from donations and fundraisers arranged by the staff. The shelter does charge for an adoption and that cost helps to offset some of the expenses for the care of each animal.
When entering the shelter, you are greeted by a friendly staff and the happy sounds of cats purring and puppies playing. Debbie Moore of the shelter is passionate about the animals the shelter so lovingly cares for.
The animals the shelter takes in “are strays” that people drop off because “they are moving or can’t afford them anymore.” Some of these animals are found by citizens and brought to the shelter for care.
The shelter is overwhelming populated with dogs, puppies, cats and kittens, but the shelter also receives some untraditional lodgers. “We take anything we can comfortably house,” Moore said. Some unconditional residents are a bunny named Buggs and some guinea pigs. Moore said the shelter “has even had a bird.”
The shelter currently has “about 50 cats and kittens, 25 dogs and puppies” ready for adoption. To prepare the animals for adoption they are all spayed or neutered, are started on a vaccination regimen, placed on a worming programs and are chipped. The chip is a small tracking device implanted safely in the animal that is programmed with the residence of the owner. That way, if the animal becomes lost, veterinarian or shelter official can scan the chip and return the animal to its home.
When you apply for an adoption at the shelter, there are forms for both cat and dog adoptions. These forms include a list of references and, if you already own a pet, the name of your primary veterinarian. The total time to complete an adoption varies, but if you choose an animal that is already spayed or neutered that time will be quicker. “If you pick an animal that isn’t fixed, we get them fixed for you,” before it leaves the facility.
The shelter has undergone some exciting renovations that make the facility “brighter and more spacious” for potential animal parents. “We’ve added a bench” to the lobby so people have some room “to sit and get to know the dog” they are considering. The lobby is painted a bright, sunny yellow and the dog kennels received a fresh coat of white paint. “We also updated our runs,” Moore said.
- Caring for a pet can be a rewarding and fun experience. The unconditional love a pet can provide can enrich us in our daily lives.
If you are in the market for a new furry friend, adoption of an animal is always an option. The Dessin Animal Shelter, located at 138 Miller Drive in Honesdale, has a bevy of lovable animals ready for new homes. The shelter is a nonprofit organization and is funded from donations and fundraisers arranged by the staff. The shelter does charge for an adoption and that cost helps to offset some of the expenses for the care of each animal.
When entering the shelter, you are greeted by a friendly staff and the happy sounds of cats purring and puppies playing. Debbie Moore of the shelter is passionate about the animals the shelter so lovingly cares for.
The animals the shelter takes in “are strays” that people drop off because “they are moving or can’t afford them anymore.” Some of these animals are found by citizens and brought to the shelter for care.
The shelter is overwhelming populated with dogs, puppies, cats and kittens, but the shelter also receives some untraditional lodgers. “We take anything we can comfortably house,” Moore said. Some unconditional residents are a bunny named Buggs and some guinea pigs. Moore said the shelter “has even had a bird.”
The shelter currently has “about 50 cats and kittens, 25 dogs and puppies” ready for adoption. To prepare the animals for adoption they are all spayed or neutered, are started on a vaccination regimen, placed on a worming programs and are chipped. The chip is a small tracking device implanted safely in the animal that is programmed with the residence of the owner. That way, if the animal becomes lost, veterinarian or shelter official can scan the chip and return the animal to its home.
When you apply for an adoption at the shelter, there are forms for both cat and dog adoptions. These forms include a list of references and, if you already own a pet, the name of your primary veterinarian. The total time to complete an adoption varies, but if you choose an animal that is already spayed or neutered that time will be quicker. “If you pick an animal that isn’t fixed, we get them fixed for you,” before it leaves the facility.
The shelter has undergone some exciting renovations that make the facility “brighter and more spacious” for potential animal parents. “We’ve added a bench” to the lobby so people have some room “to sit and get to know the dog” they are considering. The lobby is painted a bright, sunny yellow and the dog kennels received a fresh coat of white paint. “We also updated our runs,” Moore said.
To show off the new facelift, which was started late last year, the shelter is holding an open house and “Get Me-owt of Here” adoption event. This runs in conjunction with the Dessin Matchmaking event that helps match potential owners to potential pets.
“Get Me-owt of Here” is an event, starting Friday, Feb. 10 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., that lets those in search of that purrfect feline companion take home a new friend. Those interested in adopting a cat receive a balloon.
That balloon, given out at random, will correspond to a discounted adoption rate of $10, $20 or $30. There are 30 adult cats, who are all fixed, chipped and current with vaccinations, ready for a new home. “We’re also giving away one free cat,” to one lucky person.
The shelter is also always open to volunteers. Volunteers at the shelter walk dogs, pet and brush the cats, wash animals, clean and perform a variety of other duties. Moore says to volunteer you “must be at least 13 years old” and “fill out a volunteer application.” If you are between the ages of 13 and 17, you can volunteer a maximum of twice a week for two hours at a time. If you are 18 and older, you can volunteer as often and for as long as you choose.
The shelter is also always in need of donations of items needed to help run the facility. “People can always check out wish list of items,” which is located on the front of the main building. Some items that are always needed are cat litter, treats, dog and cat food, paper towels, brooms and dustpans. If you have household items, the shelter asks they be donated at The Cat’s Pajamas on 107 8th Street in Honesdale.
The animal shelter is open Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.
If you have further questions about volunteering or adopting your very own furry friend, call the shelter at 570-253-4037.
