It’s hard to look into the sad brown eyes of a puppy just wanting to be loved, or a cat just waiting to snuggle up to you and know you are not there to take one home. But it’s just as hard when you are there to take one home, when you are trying to bond with one, or trying to figure out by just looking at them or playing with them, that you’ll be a good match.
That’s what the people of the Sussex Chapter of the Delaware Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) work with on a daily basis. They are trying out a “pet of the week” feature in which they highlight to the people walking into the facility a great dog or cat that just might otherwise be overlooked. (A few of those pets are highlighted below.)
Many people are aware that a great place to look when they are considering adopting a pet is the SPCA What many do not know is that, in the last three years, the Sussex County Chapter of the Delaware SPCA has tripled in size, added an operating room, established a relationship with the Delaware Animal Disaster Services, added private pet cremations to their services — and, because of their Tree of Life program, is now a “no-kill” facility.
The Georgetown-based SPCA chapter has also undergone one other major change in recent years, ceasing operation of animal-control services in Sussex County, which are now in the hands of the Kent County SPCA.
But the Sussex County SPCA still does micro-chipping, spaying and neutering, animal cruelty investigations and of course, pet adoptions.
After their $650,000 renovation from late 2003 to 2004, the Delaware SPCA now houses their animals in air-conditioned and heated quarters.
“We used to water the dogs down on those 100-degree days and, in the winter, every winter, we’d have trouble with their water bowls freezing,” said Lt. Gerry Linkerhof of the Delaware SPCA “So, we raised the money.”
The renovation also allowed the SPCA to build their operating room, which serves vets in the spaying/neutering process.
According to Linkerhof, “Mostly, we do the spaying and neutering and micro-chipping, but we have also done eye surgeries, and they did the urethrostomy, where they basically made a male cat into a female cat because of a urinary problem.”
The new group Delaware Animal Disaster Services (DADS), in partnership with the Delaware SPCA and sponsored by Delaware Health and Social Services, Division of State Service Centers, State Office of Volunteerism, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the Ocean View Police Department, has a mission “to encourage guidance for families in preparing for disasters and to promote the safety and well being of all animals that may be adversely affected during any type of disaster.”
The Delaware SPCA is currently raising $50,000 so they can refurbish their outside kennels and build more, with the goal of being able to house hundreds of animals during a disaster.
“At this time, we could probably house maybe 60 dogs and 30 cats, but we want to have the ability for hundreds,” said Linkerhof.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the thousands of animals who died there and the pet owners who refused to evacuate without their pets, the goal of DADS is that no animal be left behind and that people be proactive in writing their animals into their disaster plan. But, should the need arrive, with the monies from their current drive, the SPCA would be able to shelter many more pets than they can at present.
“Because we generally only take pets from owners, we are a no-kill facility,” said Linkerhof. “Once pets are adoptable, they could stay here indefinitely. We have a St. Bernard that’s been here three months. The Tree of Life program allows us to treat him for a skin condition instead of putting him to sleep.”
Donations to the Tree of Life program will also allow the SPCA to continue to focus more on the humane treatment of animals, as they receive no state funding.
A $100 fee for adoption includes, for dogs: neutering, microchip, heartworm test, initial shots, rabies shots, worming, collar, tag and leash. For cats, it includes: neutering, microchip, FeLk/FIV test, initial shots, rabies shots and worming. Vet tech Kim Engst helps with the process and cares for the animals.
The Delaware SPCA asks prospective adopters to think about the responsibility of adopting and loving a pet for the long haul. Linkherhof reminds people that dogs can live up to 15 years and cats up to 18 years, and encourages them to think about how an animal would fit into their lives, space, personality and budget.
With that said, there are many adoptable pets just waiting to come home with would-be pet owners, to shower them with affection and love. In addition to cats and dogs, the shelter also has pet rabbits available for adoption.
The Delaware SPCA is located on Route 113 South, approximately 1.5 miles south of the Route 9 intersection in Georgetown. They are open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some of the SPCA’s pets available for adoption are also featured on the PetFinder Web site at www.petfinder.com, where potential adopters can view photos and get a brief biography of these pets.
To help the SPCA continue to buy diagnostic equipment, medications and to provide additional veterinary care, or to help with the Tree of Life program or with their current drive in collaboration with DADS, the public can donate to them by sending in a check to Delaware SPCA Chapter, 326 South DuPont Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947.
For more information on pet adoptions or to ask about adopting a specific animal being sheltered at the SPCA, call the shelter at (302) 856-6361.
Minnie Mouse
is a 3-year-old gray tabby cat whose owner died. The poor girl had no where to go so she is now at the SPCA hoping for a loving new home. Minnie is a pretty, sweet cat who is spayed, house-trained and good with kids.
Minnie Mouse
Bootsie
obviously got her name from her white paws. She is a nice, friendly 10-month-old tuxedo-patterned cat with a short tail. She was turned over to the SPCA by someone who could no longer take care of her. Bootsie has been spayed and is ready for a new home.
Bootsie
Rainbow
is a very pretty black lab mix. She’s about 8 months old and was rescued from an overcrowded shelter. She was brought to the Sussex SPCA so that she could be adopted into a good home. She is a sweet, playful puppy who loves people. She is energetic but plays very nicely with other dogs. She was set to be spayed on Oct. 24 and to be available for adoption that afternoon.
Rainbow
Tasha
(No. 287) is a 3-month-old female kitten, a gray-and-white tabby with a bobbed tail. She was one of a litter of kittens brought to the SPCA.
Tasha
Bagel
is a 1-year-old female beagle with a brown-and-black coat.
Bagel
Buster
is a 2-year-old male beagle with a brown-and-white coat.
Buster