Pet adoption hurt by economy

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspaper SAD STORY—Ace, a 7-month-old Labrador mix, was surrendered by his owner when a family member lost her job and the family couldn't afford to keep the pet. Now the dog is waiting for a new home at the Agoura Animal Shelter. In 2007 there were 94 owners who surrendered their cats and dogs to the Agoura Animal Shelter during September, October and November. This year the number ran up to 271.

Evelina Villa, a shelter outreach staff assistant, said the rise in unwanted pets appears to be linked to the economic challenges people are facing.

"People sometimes have to decide if they're going to feed their children or their dog. It is better for the pet if they surrender it to the animal shelter and not just abandon it," Villa said.

It costs nothing to surrender a pet if it is dropped off. There is a $10 charge for animal control to pick it up. The animal will be kept for a minimum of four days, but if the shelter has room, most pets are kept for weeks or months until they find a new home.

Owners who surrender pets are given a pet identification number and can call to check on the pet, but the shelter does not call and let people know in advance if it is going to be euthanized.

Recently there were about 30 dogs available in the 40 kennels at the shelter. Two were strays waiting for owners to claim them. One man searching the shelter found his Doberman, who had been gone for two days. A terrier-poodle mix was a repeat offender whose owner had been contacted but had not rushed down to reclaim the pet, a volunteer said. Two other families were in line to adopt him if he became available.

To help find new homes for the pets, shelter staff recommends owners fill out owner-surrender papers.

"It really helps the dogs find the right home if those who bring a dog into the shelter will fill out the owner-surrender paper," Villa said.

Some dogs want to be the only pet. Others bite, jump over fences or don't like children. If the former owners don't give information, the volunteers at the shelter do some investigating and write what they notice, such as "good on leash" or "gets along with other dogs." They also note personality traits and tricks the dogs can do.

While at the shelter, the dogs are provided cots, blankets, fresh water, food, indoor-outdoor runs and piped in classical music. Workers rotate them in the grassy play yards, where toys and sometimes companions are waiting to play.

Dogs are also walked around the area on leashes. Some pets are under a veterinarian's care for such things as skin problems, and that, too, is noted on the kennel door.

A mobile home is set up for dogs to go into and relax.

A book in the cat sanctuary describes the feline shelter occupants. The climatecontrolled room provides a calm place where sleepy cats curl up in beds as frisky ones bat around toys.

"I know times are tough, but if people have room for another pet, and compassion, they should come and walk through the kennels and see if there is one that fits with their family," Villa said.

In addition to homes for the pets, the shelter is in need of certain supplies and volunteers, she said.

The shelter, 29525 Agoura Road, Agoura, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is closed on Sunday. The phone number is (818) 991-0071.

The shelter serves Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Hidden Hills, Malibu, Thousand Oaks, Topanga Canyon, Westlake Village and Woodland Hills.