Ashley Hunter
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Puppy and kitten mills, or the cat that escaped one night and came home with kittens...
Both cases attribute to the countless animals that never find homes and end up living out their lives in animal shelters, if they are lucky.
Many shelters have opted to have no-kill housing for family-less cats and dogs, but such a decision is costly. Only so many animals can be taken in, and many face a life that never leaves the confines of their kennel.
Madison County's shelter, the Suwannee Valley Humane Society (SVHS), is one of the many no-kill shelters throughout the country.
Established in 1984, the Lee shelter is currently home to at least 42 cats and 26 dogs, which is a rough estimate. The count of in-shelter cats, kittens, dogs and puppies changes regularly as new animals come in and some find homes.
Despite the movement to adopt pets from shelters instead of buying from pet shops that support abusive breeding mills, many pets in shelters around the country still face a life of four concrete walls.
Many of the animals at SVHS are older, likely causing them to be considered 'less adoptable,' but there are many benefits to adopting an older pet, such as skipping the bothersome chewing phase. In some ways, they are easier to train or already know basic instructions and naturally prefer using the bathroom outdoors. Many make extremely loyal and dedicated pets as well – you rescued them, so why wouldn't they adore you?
The adoption fee for cats is $45, which includes a spay/neuter procedure, a microchip, shots according to the animal's age and feline leukemia testing. The adoption fee for dogs is $65, and includes all above listed services, with the exception of leukemia testing and the addition of heart worm testing.
Since May of 2002, SVHS encompasses a 21-acre plot of land which was formerly a greyhound facility in Lee. The shelter, as well as two shelter buildings, outdoor pens and two thrift stores are all located at 1156 SE Bisbee Loop, two miles south of Lee.
Shelter hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the thrift store is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
SVHS states that their goal is to provide an opportunity for homeless and unwanted animals to find loving homes through adoption. In their 32 years of service to the discarded pets of Madison County, SVHS has found homes for at least 5,000 cats, kittens, dogs and puppies, and everyday that number expands!
Interested in helping out, but can't bring home a new dog or cat? That's fine too, SVHS has a need for both donations and volunteers. Information on ways to donate and volunteer can be found at the shelter's website, www.suwanneevalleyhumanesociety.org, along with pictures of the dogs and cats that are currently waiting for their 'furever' home.