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Meeting on good terms

Greetings Sonoma! 

  As we start this New Year on a frosty note, please take care of yourselves and your pets.   We’ve had a few people come to us worried about the dogs being outside over night. I want to assure everyone, that our precious pooches are taken in every night, winter, spring, summer and fall. We have indoor and outdoor kennels for each dog which is a bit of a luxury for them.

  Every morning, our dedicated staff, Deanne, Shoshana, Amy or Sarah, takes them into their outside kennels for some fresh air and breakfast. We then completely disinfect and clean the indoor kennels so they have a spotless cozy kennel to come back to at the end of the day. All of our outdoor kennels are covered, so none of our dogs have to endure the elements if it’s raining. On particularly bad days, we’ll bring them inside right after cleaning is complete. 

  We have some wonderful dogs right now that are in need of forever homes. If you would like to meet one, please let us know and we can introduce you to them outside their kennels. We have been working towards an Open Paw philosophy at the shelter. Here is quote from the Open Paw website: 

  “Imagine walking into an animal shelter where all is quiet and it smells good. The dogs are peacefully, lounging on beds chewing away on delectable food-stuffed chew toys or sitting calmly at the front of their kennels wagging ‘hello;’ at every passer-by.” 

  Sadly, most stray or owner surrender dogs come to the shelter with behavioral baggage already and many animals rapidly deteriorate after only a short time in the shelter environment. With a vigorous socialization and training program in effect, the animals, become more adoptable, and more likely to remain in a home when they do become adopted. Although, we are a long way from the ideal, we are working toward that goal.  

  We have seen marked improvement in our residents behavior with the help of our amazing volunteer canine handlers, our loving and dedicated staff and the diligence of our Canine Coordinator, Ellen Brantley. We want you to meet the dogs we know once they are outside their kennels. So if you are interested in one of our dogs, let one of our adoption counselors in the front office know and they can do a proper introduction in the warmth of the dog trailer and then into the open dog yard.  

  As for our fabulous felines, we have the benefit of a community cat and community kitten room. A big open room that allows you the opportunity to see some of the personalities of each cat or kitten. Some folks come to just hang out in the rooms as it can be a very calming and therapeutic experience. We don’t discourage this as any socializing the cats and kittens can get contributes to their overall adoptability. 

  And right now, we want you to start your New Year in the black with our $30 special on all black and tuxedo cats. Albeit a shameless marketing ploy, we still find when all is said and done, the ones left to be adopted are more times than not, our back and tuxedo cats and kittens. As loving and playful as are all the others. Please consider bringing a shelter animal into your home. You will never regret you did.

Ciao for now! Wishing you all meow wishes and doggie delights.