From the Humane Society of Harford County:
The Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC) will open its doors wide on Saturday, July 23 as part of a one-day, nationwide pet adoption drive called Clear the Shelters. Adoption fees on all shelter pets will be waived with hopes that every animal will find a loving, permanent home.
“Almost 4,500 animals enter our shelter every year, including cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs, ferrets, mice and rats, chickens and more,” said Jen Swanson, executive director at HSHC. “We’re very excited to join forces with NBC4 out of Washington, DC and shelters all across the county to help find homes for thousands of pets this Saturday. We want to open for business on Sunday with little or no animals left!”
HSHC will be open from 10am until 5pm on Saturday. Interested adopters can view the animals’ photos and biographies and download an adoption application by visiting www.harfordshelter.org. Regular adoption procedures will apply. As part of the adoption process for dogs, every member of the home as well as all resident dog(s), must come to HSHC to meet and greet the potential new addition with one of HSHC’s adoptions counselors.
“When you come to the shelter to select a pet, keep an open mind,” says Cat Kelly, shelter operations director at HSHC. “Put old biases aside and use your head and your heart. Your pet will be a part of your family for years, so base your decision on your objective observations. Talk to our staff members. They are very familiar with each animal and can give you good insight into which pet is right for you.”
Animals adopted from HSHC include a distemper vaccination (DHPP for dogs & FVRCP for cats), a rabies vaccination (if the animal is at least 3 months old), canine flu vaccination, canine kennel cough vaccination, FeLV (feline leukemia) & FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) testing, de-wormer, flea & tick preventative, a microchip, a free sample of Hill’s Science Diet food, and a general exam.
There is an additional $50 deposit for a HASP (Harford Animal Sterilization Program) certificate so the animal can be spayed or neutered. That fee is refunded upon completion of the procedure within 60 days.
One would think with the new facility, and a full time veterinarian on staff, HCHS would have made plans for the new shelter to do spays and neuters on site. Unless adoptions are tracked to confirm sterilizations were done, adopting out breeding animals is an irresponsible act. Even though many veterinarians accept the HASP certificate it doesn’t cover in full the cost of the procedures.