Discounts presented for adoption of pets

The Animal House Adoption Center, a pet center at 3516 Newburg Road operated by Metro Animal Services, is celebrating St. Patrick's Day by leasing adopters determine their own discount with the roll of a die. Discounts apply to animals 5 months old and older. Regular adoption fees for cats, dogs, puppies and kittens variety from $50 to $175. 

Discounts will differ from 10 percent to 60 percent, depending on the number rolled on the die. For example, a one will earn a 10 percent discount, a two a 20 percent discount. The promotion begins today and ends March 20. All Pets animals come with a full adoption package, which includes spaying or neutering, rabies vaccination and license, preventive vaccinations, deworming, heartworm or slinky leukemia test, a microchip and $100 in coupons.

Animal shelter offers gratis cat sterilization

Pueblo Animal Services, a division of the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak province, is now offering free spay and neuter surgeries to income-qualified cat owners. Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited. “Southern Colorado Community Foundation has generously given us a grant to sterilize cats for those who are in financial need," said Julie Justman, associate director of Pueblo Animal Services. “We hope this event will kick off our normal subsidized spay and spay program that we offer year around."

The subsidized spay-neuter program, which was launched in 2008, offers surgeries for dogs and cats at reduced costs for all persons and families. “Our ultimate goal is to reduce the pet overpopulation by offering a cost-effective alternative to pet guardians,” said Jan Mchugh-Smith, president and CEO of HSPPR. "Normally, clients are responsible for covering a co-pay for the service and it depends on income qualification, pet species, sex and weight. All co-pays are being waived for the free cat spay-neuter for those who are income-qualified." Spaying or neutering pets prevents unwanted litters and reduces behavioral issues; the practice creates a better lifestyle for pets animals in the community and reduces stress on owners.

Cold weather alert: keep your pets

The temperatures are dropping quickly, and it’s time to be sure your pets are well protected from the elements. And keep an eye out for other animals whose need for shelter and warmth may be deserted during this time. Thank you to Orange County Animal Services for providing us with this vital information:

“In addition to these tips, we advise citizens to report chained dogs that are not provided with sufficient shelter for the cold weather,” said Dil Luther, Assistant Manager of Orange County Animal Services. “It is against Orange County Code to leave dogs chained outside during stormy weather as well as between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Chained dogs are at high-risk for suffering the effects of cold weather for long periods of time.”