Will County Humane Society set for Petapalooza
By Denise Baran-Unland For The Herald-News September 17, 2012 1:04PM
Corona, a 3-year-old beagle mix, is one of four office dogs at the Will County Humane Society. They will greet guests on Sept. 22 at the shelter's first Petapalooza adoption event. | Submitted photo
If you go
What: Petapalooza adoption event
When: Noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Will County Humane Society, 24109 W. Seil Road, Shorewood
What: Pet adoptions, information on foster care program, mini flea market, house plant sale
Cost: Free
Contact: 815-741-0695
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Updated: October 19, 2012 6:05AM
SHOREWOOD — If you’re looking for just the right dog or cat to complete your family, stop by the Will County Humane Society’s first Petapalooza adoption event on Saturday and check out its 25 dogs and 75 cats.
To make you feel welcome, the shelter’s four small office dogs — Heidi, Ivy, Lexie and Corona — will greet you and “plead” their case for a permanent home, too.
“There will be plenty of volunteers on hand to answer questions about our dogs and cats,” said Larry Ringbauer, manager at the Shorewood shelter. “We’ll be taking dogs out of the cages and letting people walk them around a little to help them find a good match.”
All four of the office dogs have lived at the Will County Humane Society for several years and all four have trust issues with humans, which is why they spend time up front mixing with the public.
You’ll know when Heidi, a 2-year-old beagle mix that has lived at the shelter since puppyhood, feels comfortable with you because she’ll wag her tail and “steal” your cookies. Ivy, 7, which came from a puppy mill, takes her time warming up to people.
Lexie, a 14-year-old Italian greyhound-terrier mix, is a happy dog despite battling tumors. She is an enthusiastic greeter and will jump up on your lap if she knows you well. Corona, a 3-year-old beagle mix, has an unknown history. However, a cookie or two will coax him into playing games.
Healthy animals
Of course, guests may select a pet from among any of the animals, all of whom will be eagerly hoping to be chosen. Dogs rarely stay at the shelter longer than a year, but cats generally fare less well.
Some live at the shelter nearly 10 years before someone walks in, falls in love with a particular cat and takes it home. Until then, many cats do learn to feel quite at home at the facility.
“Some people think the cats stay in a cage all day, but they’re roaming around in the big sun room,” Ringbauer said. “We have cat trees and the cats really enjoy looking out of the windows. It’s really nice in there.”
Anyone seeking to adopt a pet must be at least 21 years old, live within 90 minutes of the shelter and have a valid drivers license or state identification card.
Prospective adoptive parents must also provide a comprehensive history of pet ownership, verify permission to own a cat or a particular dog breed at their current residence and be able to provide training, medical treatment and proper care for the pet.
The adoption fee for each cat or kitten is $100. Kittens will have received their first shots; adult cats are vaccinated against rabies, feline leukemia, feline distemper, chlamydia and feline rhino.
Adult cats have also been spayed or neutered, but it is the owner’s job to spay or neuter kittens. Someone at the shelter will follow up with the owner’s veterinarian to ensure the procedure did occur.
The adoption fee for dogs is $175. As with cats and kittens, adult dogs are also spayed and neutered, while owners take responsibility for the same with the puppies. Again, the shelter will check with the pet’s veterinarian.
Puppies, too, will have received their first shots, courtesy of the shelter. Adult dogs will have been vaccinated against rabies, distemper, parvo, corona, leptospirosis, hepatitis and kennel cough.
Plenty to see and do
In addition to meeting the animals, guests may browse the mini flea market, check out the assortment of house plants for sale and receive information on the shelter’s new foster care program.
This last is perfect for the individual who wants to help a needy animal but can’t make a permanent commitment. Foster parents provide short- to long-term in-home care for pets requiring a low stress environment, such as those recovering from an illness or recuperating from surgery. Will County Humane Society provides food, litter, medication and all veterinary care.
“We do get a lot of heartworm dogs here that we like to see in homes, where it’s easier for them to relax,” Ringbauer said. “In the shelter, there’s other dogs barking and running back and forth getting them stirred up.”
