Continue reading »]]> How old is too old to adopt a pet?

That’s the question at the center of a dog adoption controversy in Texas.

David West is accusing the Amarillo SPCA of age discrimination.

West says he and his wife, Marian, who are both in their 80s, responded to an ad by the group for a chow that needed a good home.

West says the couple met the dog and even bonded with it.

Then, were suddenly denied the adoption.

“We needed a larger dog house, uh, my wife made an appointment to have the dog groomed and shampooed. And we go back and low and behold that’ s when they said they couldn’t let us have the dog and implying that I was too old,” said David West.

The Amarillo SPCA is denying the allegation.

An Amarillo SPCA spokesman says Marian West expressed concern about handling the dog.

He also says there are many criteria considered before adoptions take place

More here: David West, Marian West denied pet adoption | ksdk.com.

Continue reading »]]> From SPCA of Montgomery County, Conroe, TX:

Meet Hillary, a lovely brown tabby female who is about 2 years old.

Poor Hillary had a rough start in life as she was abandoned as a kitten. Luckily for her she was rescued by an SPCA volunteer, is FIV and FeLuk tested (negative), given all of her necessary shots (she is current) and, of course, is spayed. Hillary was then placed in a foster home so that she would remain safe and get used to a home environment.

In foster care Hillary receives plenty of love and attention, but what she really needs, and deserves, is to find a home of her very own. Although she’s not completely there yet, we feel that Hillary will become a fantastic lap cat! How about making that lucky lap yours?

While we’re not sure how she would be with dogs or small children, Hillary does get along great with other cats. And this little lady is so pretty with velvety soft, brown fur and an even softer fuzzy belly. Just petting Hillary will bring you so many hours of relaxing comfort! If you think that Hillary would be the perfect addition to your loving home, please go to the SPCA PETS SNAP of Montgomery County website at www.spcaofmc.com and fill out an online adoption application so that you can meet Hillary in person.

via Montgomery County pet adoption of the week, May 16 – Your Houston News: Living.

Continue reading »]]> “Awwww!” Devin Shelton and her 4-year old daughter Rhiyanna, instantly fell in love with the 2-year old Chihuahua in the section marked, ‘small, adoptable dogs’ of the Grand Prairie shelter.

Shelton found out that the city’s shelter was doing free adoptions this weekend and decided to take advantage of it.

“I’ve been wanting a dog, but I don’t have the income,” says Amy Ramirez, who was looking at another Chihuahua two cages away.

Normally, adoptions at Grand Prairie’s animal shelter cost about $70, but a program the city calls, ‘Stayin’ Alive’ waived all the usual adoption fees.

“We’re saving lives this weekend,” says Amy Sprinkles from the city.

Sprinkles says 70 dogs and cats were adopted Friday. Only about 50 remained Saturday morning when the doors opened at 10 am.

The city is losing money by doing this, but says it’s worth it.

This is the second ‘free adoption’ weekend so far this year and more could be planned soon.

Originally posted here:  Free pet adoption program leaves shelter almost empty – Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com.

Continue reading »]]> Like the little black dress, canines with black coats are always in fashion. So says the San Antonio Humane Society – and to prove the point, the shelter is holding a black dog (and cat) adoption event throughout the month.

Special perks such as bags of Science Diet and tickets to Sea World are part of the adoption package.

There’s also a bargain price for black dogs, just $25 per pooch. And the fee for black cats has been waived. To add to the fashionable fun, all animals involved have been given designers’ names.

Among the black beauties available:

Dior: This 5-year-old female shepherd mix was found wandering the streets. She didn’t look so stylish then but now is as elegant as the legendary French designer.

More here: Black beauties make fashion statement – San Antonio Express-News.

Continue reading »]]> The Georgetown Animal Shelter is nearly out of room for its canine tenants.

To encourage someone who may be thinking of adopting a dog, the adoption fee for dogs is temporarily reduced to $35, which is half the typical fee of $75.

All dogs available for adoption are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and are current on vaccinations.

To see dogs and cats available for adoption from the shelter, go to the City of Georgetown Animal Shelter website at pets.georgetown.org.

The City of Georgetown Animal Shelter is located at 110 W.L. Walden Drive in Georgetown and can be contacted at (512) 930-3592 or by email at animalsvc@georgetown.org.

Originally posted here: Dog Adoption Fee Reduced to $35 | City News.

Continue reading »]]> With the goal of saving the lives of homeless pets through adoption, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is taking part in the PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend, which will be Friday to Sunday. The event is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan, Tidy Cats and Pet

Smart, taking place in all 1,172 PetSmart stores in the United States and Canada.

The Amarillo SPCA is one of more than 2,000 animal-welfare agencies in North America participating. Prospective adopters can find a pet from the SPCA at the PetSmart Charities Adoption Center in PetSmart, 2800 S. Soncy Road.

Adoptable pets will be available at PetSmart from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Coulter Street SPCA location will be open for adoption from noon

to 5 p.m. Friday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday but will be closed on Sunday. Pet lovers who are ready to make a lifelong commitment to a homeless pet are encouraged to visit the PetSmart Charities Adoption Center, where the SPCA is showcasing adoptable pets.

More here: Amarillo SPCA joins adoption event | Amarillo Globe-News.

Continue reading »]]> Hundreds of humans and animals alike came out to Amarillo Civic Center Sunday afternoon for a nationwide pet adoption event.

The North Shore Animal League America’s twelfth annual “Tour for Life” teamed up with the Panhandle Humane Society to find homes for about eighty dogs and cats.

Organizers say the act of saving and helping animals is its own reward, as Mena McFall, the executive director of the local Humane Society referred to an inspirational fable, saying,

“Have you ever heard the starfish story with the little boy throwing back the starfish, and the man who says you’re not making a difference and he says, ‘I made a difference to that one?’ That’s how you have to look at it. Every dog you give a chance is one that’s not put down and is not out on the streets – it’s very rewarding.”

The North Shore Animal League is the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization.

For more information on getting involved with the local humane society, you can call 373-1716.

Originally posted here: Tour for Life Pet Adoption Event – KFDA – NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, Sports.

Continue reading »]]> The Austin Dog Alliance, a nonprofit that combines dog adoption, training and community outreach programs, is moving to Cedar Park.

The alliance, which currently operates out of a shopping center on RM 620 in North Austin, aims to settle on 7.1 acres of woody land at 1321 W. New Hope Drive, according to a release about the move.

The alliance has already set aside about half of the $1.3 million needed for the move, but it is asking the community to help raise the remaining funds, the release said. The group hopes to break ground on the new “forever home” in September and host a grand opening next spring.

In the release, alliance founder and Executive Director Debi Krakar said the announcement is the “culmination of 20 years of life events that have driven me to believe in this project with my heart and soul.”

“Destiny, karma, God’s will… I don’t know what to call it, but the journey to build a permanent home for Austin Dog Alliance is very personal,” the statement said.

In addition to dog adoptions and training programs, the 427-volunteer alliance brings dogs to school programs, summer camps, library programs and hosts weekly classes that use dogs to calm and teach social skills to children with autism.

Originally posted here: Austin Dog Alliance to move to Cedar Park | WillCo Wired.

Continue reading »]]> A pet adoption and free microchip clinic will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 at Humble Hyundai, 18877 Highway 59 N. in Humble.

Rescue animals will be up for adoption, and information will be available on the importance of properly identifying pets. Best Friends Furever will have dogs available for adoption, and Adopt a Cat will have cats available.

According to a press release, a microchip is a permanent way to identify a pet that will not fade and will keep owners from becoming separated from their pet.

“Tens of thousands of dogs and cats will be put to death in Houston’s animal shelters, and many are lost pets that could have been reunited with their owners,” Deana Sellens, executive director of Spay/Houston, said in the release. “It’s imperative that you protect your pet by ensuring he or she has proper identification. If your family pet isn’t microchipped yet, please come to Humble Hyundai for our free clinic.”

The clinic is in observance of National Pet ID Week and is co-sponsored by Humble Hyundai with Best Friends Furever and Spay/Houston.

For more information, visit www.furever.org.

Originally posted here: Pet adoption, microchipping event to be held at Hyundai dealership | Ultimate Kingwood.

Continue reading »]]> Due to an increase in animals, the Austin Animal Center is waiving pet adoption fees and is seeking volunteers.

Officials with the center say it is “raining cats and dogs” and help is needed. They are asking the public to adopt or foster a pet, or volunteer at the center to help with the overflow of animals.

“The selection right now to adopt a pet is incredible,” Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer Ian Hallett said. “We have so many amazing animals that are in need of a loving home.”

Adoption fees will be waived for all ready-to-go pets. They will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and will have a collar, tag and microchip.

Officials say they have almost 700 animals in their care and every space is full.

You can adopt or foster a pet at the Austin Animal Center at 7201 Levander Loop or at Town Lake Animal Center at 1156 W. Cesar Chavez Street.

More here: Austin Animal Center full; volunteers, adopters needed | kvue.com Austin.