October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and Butler County residents have new, furry friends waiting at Hearts for Rescue and the Poplar Bluff Animal Control Shelter.
At the time of this article Hearts for Rescue, a foster organization, had 21 dogs available for adoption. Most of them are adults and some are larger breeds, which director Kim Brooks explained can hinder their chances.
“The hardest to find home for are our adult dogs, and the larger breeds,” she said. She went on to add, “There’s a lot of advantages to adopting an adult dog, because most of the time our adult dogs are already house trained, a lot of them know some basic commands. They’ve had more experience in life in general, so they’re usually calmer.”
Also overlooked are older dogs, she said. “Senior dogs that come into our rescue, what we find is that they are actually grateful for the affection. You can just see it, you can feel it in their demeanor, they’re grateful to be in their home with loving people.”
Animal control officer Dan St. Lawrence said the Animal Control Shelter had between 18 and 20 dogs. He has found some people are put off by younger, energetic dogs, and black dogs have the fewest applicants.
“And they’re the most common dog in our shelter,” he explained.
When people open themselves up to adopting a dog in a color, age or breed they may not have considered, they can focus on the dog’s personality and make a lasting match. Brooks explained dog fosters of Hearts for Rescue get a good idea of each animal’s personality and energy level.
“The most important part about adopting a dog from a rescue or shelter is to try to pick a dog (that’s) the best fit for the family, because then it’s a forever home,” she said.
Both organizations require adoption fees. Hearts for Rescue adoption fee starts at $150 and covers vaccinations, spay or neuter and microchipping, depending on the dog. The Animal Control Shelter charges only $10, but adopters pay for their new pet’s sterilization and vaccinations. Shelter dog owners must also get a city pet license from their veterinarian once vaccinations are complete.
“The city pet license, the main reason for it is to verify that all animals on the city limits of Poplar Bluff are vaccinated for rabies, because rabies is so dangerous,” St. Lawrence said.
He added pet owners are also required to put their name and the dog’s rabies tags on their collar. This helps animal control return them home as quickly as possible if they wander off.
St. Lawrence said the most important step in adopting is knowing the right time.
“Make sure that you’re ready. Pets are not throw away items or disposable. They are a lifetime commitment,” he said.
Those who cannot adopt a pet at present can still help the dogs of Poplar Bluff by donating, volunteering or sharing their stories on social media.
Donations are welcome at Hearts for Rescue, which has been unable to hold fundraising events due to COVID-19. For those facing their own financial setbacks in the pandemic, Brooks said the best way to help is to follow the Hearts for Rescue Facebook page and spread the word on their adoptable dogs.
“The biggest help is for them to share, to get those dogs out, to get the information out, so that they can find that home,” she said.
St. Lawrence said the animal shelter relies on volunteers and always welcomes new faces. People can get involved by coming to the shelter building, signing a waiver and submitting to a background check.
“They can actually volunteer to come out here and feed (the animals), and clean the kennels. Get the dogs out, exercise, socialize with them,” he said.
More information on Hearts for Rescue and their dogs can be found at heartsforrescue.rescuegroups.org and the Hearts for Rescue Facebook page, or contact them at hearts4rescue@yahoo.com.
The Poplar Bluff Animal Control Shelter is located at 1500 W. Butler St. Animal control officers can be reached via phone at 573-636-8635, and the shelter is online at the Poplar Bluff Animal Control Facebook page.