Shelter A Waypoint For Wayward Dogs

Friday, January 25, 2008

Warren Times Gazette

Since November 2007, Warren Animal Control Officer Heidi Garrity said the shelter has worked in conjunction with the agencies to serve as a "base" for adoptions. For example, a family from Connecticut or Massachusetts can find a dog they like on Petfinder.com and arrange for the pick-up to be at the Warren shelter.

An average shipment can have as many as 20 to 30 dogs. Mrs. Garrity said families will come at slotted times from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to pick them up, and the area at and near the shelter allows them to take a nice walk around.

The adopted dogs are often transferred from high-kill shelters in the South, Mrs. Garrity said, adding that she doesn't mind having to deal with the mess.

"I would rather be cleaning up after a couple extra dogs than having them running loose down in the South," she said. "Fortunately, Rhode Island is stricter with the spay and neuter laws, and people care for their animals more than some other places."

Depending on the capacity of the shelter, Mrs. Garrity said she sometimes asks the organizations for a few extra dogs, to make sure the shelter has adoptable pets available for the public. She said while the shelter is often full of cats, dogs are easier to find homes for.

If you're interested in seeing the dogs available for adoption through the program, visit the Petfinder website. Animals in Bristol, Barrington and Swansea are also viewable.

– Stephen Greenwell