Dogs, cats await homes
Dogs and cats in need of loving homes are waiting for new owners at Columbia County Animal Care and Control.
Michelle Tapley, a kennel technician for the Columbia County Care and Control department, plays with one of the puppies that will be available for a special pet adoption. The adoption will be Friday and Saturday at the facility off Columbia Road.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
It's the goal of Linda Fulmer, the director of the department, to find homes for those animals, which are either turned in to the center or picked up by its officers.
In hopes of adopting more animals, the center is holding a special pet adoption from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
During the event, dogs and puppies can be adopted for a discounted $10. Cats and kittens will be adopted for $5. The event, usually held quarterly, first began at the grand opening of the Animal and Care Control's remodeled facility off Columbia Road in Appling in 2001.
The most recent adoption was held in May, when 10 animals went home with new owners.
"The problem is you never know what you are going to have up for adoption," Fulmer said. "So it is really a guessing game as to how many we'll even have ready for adoption."
But the center usually has a variety of adoptable dogs, puppies, cats and kittens, Fulmer said.
Animals must be held for five days before being put up for adoption to give the owner time to make a claim. Animals are then put up for adoption based on each animal's temperament.
Pets turned in by their owners can be adopted immediately. That process gives employees a chance to get specific information such as age, temperament and medical history - all things that can make the animal more adoptable.
The normal adoption fees are $25 for adult animals and $20 for puppies and kittens.
"According to Georgia law, all of them have to be spayed or neutered after they are adopted from here," Fulmer said.
The law helps control rampant breeding of stray animals, reducing the number of strays picked up and turned in to the center.
Those adopting an animal also are required to take the animal to a veterinarian.
Anyone wanting to enter the facility must wear closed-toe shoes, Fulmer said.
Animal Care and Control's normal hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
No adoptions are allowed after 5 p.m.
For more information, call 541-4077.