Published: November 06, 2008 09:42 pm         

Adoption fair

Event focuses on pet care awareness

Humane Society of Raleigh County board member Jennifer Kiblinger wants to see more unwanted pets find forever homes.

However, she wants to make sure those homes will provide lots of love, good care and responsible pet ownership.

“We have to keep working toward getting more people to spay and neuter their pets, especially cats,” Kiblinger said. “The only solution to the pet overpopulation problem is to cut down the number of puppies and kittens that are born. Every new crop of baby animals has the potential to produce many, many more unwanted animals in the future.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, Kiblinger and her staff at The Pampered Pet on Ragland Road will host a pet adoption day. There will be an assortment of dogs and cats who are looking for homes. However, adoptions will not be done the day of the event.

“If people pick out a pet they think they want, we will give them a certificate, and they can pick that pet up and go through the adoption procedure Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Raleigh County Animal Shelter,” Kiblinger said. “We want people to go home and think about the changes a pet will bring in their home and to make preparations and think about whether or not they can take care of that animal properly.”

Those who wish to adopt can fill out an application that will be reviewed by shelter personnel in an attempt to get the best pet and owner match.

“We want to make sure there are no impulse decisions so that the adopted pets will get a forever home,” Kiblinger said.

The event will include some basic pet education and grooming demonstrations.

“One of the things we need to educate dog owners about is the fact that grooming is important to an animal’s health. It isn’t just a cosmetic thing,” Kiblinger said. “Dogs with thick fur will get hot spots from matted, unkempt hair. Those spots can become sore and infected and make that animal miserable and sick.”

The grooming demonstration is also designed to encourage pet owner wannabes to take a second look at a pound dog that might be a bit scruffy.

“We believe every dog deserves a chance. Just because it’s been neglected before it was brought into the shelter doesn’t mean it can’t look like a whole different dog with some good care and grooming,” she said.

In addition, a company called Planet Dog will provide Kiss Me, I’m Adopted kits to every person who adopts a pet as a result of the adoption day.

“We will be doing free pet makeovers and providing information to the public. We also hope to provide a free spay or neuter to one lucky new adoptee,” Kiblinger said.

The fair begins at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be served.

Organizers will also accept donations of cleaning supplies, pet food, litter, toys, and money for the animal shelter.

— E-mail:

bdavis@register-herald.com