Published: January 01, 2009 10:40 pm      

Pets need homes for the new year

ASHLAND — With the cost of dog food competing with the budget for family meals, Paul Helton at the Boyd County Animal Shelter says it’s no surprise they’re seeing an increasing number of dogs and cats in need of medical care and new homes.

“Right now we are at 100 percent capacity,” Helton said Wednesday. “I’m sure the economy has a lot to do with that.

“Today alone we’ve had six drop-offs and we’ve picked up three,” he continued, adding busier days have witnessed as many as 25 animals dropped off at the shelter and even more picked up by animal control officers. The year 2008, he said, brought nearly 1,200 calls from local residents ranging from biting dogs to roaming horses, wandering goats and a 12-foot Burmese python.

“That was the most unusual one this year,” Helton said with a chuckle, explaining last year’s calls also included a loose llama.

Calls during the past 12 months also included a few raccoons in attics, he said, however “thankfully” none of those animals were infected with the rabies virus.

Of the cats, kittens, puppies and dogs now at the shelter, Helton said many among them could be outstanding house pets.

“We’ve got some good candidates, yes,” he said with enthusiasm.

“One we would really like to feature was a rescue case, an abuse case. It had a broken leg and the collar was growing into its neck,” Helton said, describing the canine as a suspected chihuahua mix.

“It’s a good dog,” he said, noting the little male has been at the shelter for almost six months and has racked up an impressive veterinary bill as shelter volunteers worked to improve his condition.

“I prosecuted the owner on that one,” Helton noted.

The shelter also has nearly 50 dogs, including 20 puppies, and 25 cats, many of which have had their claws removed, ready for adoption, Helton said.

The Boyd County Animal Shelter, at 1025 Bob McCullough Drive, is open for adoptions from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and closed on Thursday and Sunday. For mor information, visit www.boydcountyanimalshelter.org or call (606) 324-0745.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.