Affordable Animal Adoption Found In A Pot-O-Gold

There’s a pot-o-gold waiting for anyone looking to adopt a pet.

The regular fee for pet adoptions at the Montville Animal Shelter is $75. But, during March, anyone adopting a pet will receive $5 to $20 off that fee.

“Right now we have only full grown cats in the shelter. No kittens,” said Animal Control Officer, Gail Strumph. “They are medically ready to go. That’s all part of the fee. They are already spayed or neutered. They have their shots, including rabies and distemper. They have also been tested for Feline Leukemia-HIV, and you get a care package with every adoption that includes good toys and a starter litter box.”

The cats range in age from about 6 months old to several years. The shelter also has a few dogs.

With the help of a handful of volunteers, Strumph and her assistant socialize the shelter animals every day. Petting them, caring for them, getting to know them, and observing their habits, needs and personalities.

“We have to know them to place them,” explained Strumph.

The animal shelter and the Montville Pet Parents came up with the Pot-O-Gold discount event to encourage people to adopt cats and dogs this month, particularly cats.

“With spring coming, kitten season begins,” said Montville Pet Parents President Sue Goldblatt. “From April through summer the kitten population balloons. Because kittens are so cute, the older cats tend to get overlooked once the influx of kittens begins.”

According to the sign out front, there are now 26 full-grown cats and three dogs who call the animal shelter home.

The facility can hold more than 80 cats and kittens, but Strumph hopes the current animals will be adopted before the spring population explosion.

With Pot-O-Gold, people who adopt a cat or dog in March will get the chance to pick a coin out of the pot and take $5, $10, $15, or $20 off the standard $75 adoption fee, making the investment as low as $55.

“There are 30 to 40 coins in the pot,” said Goldblatt, “several of each value.”

The Pot-O-Gold animal adoption discount event will run through the end of March.

The Montville Animal Shelter is located at 86 River Rd, Montville. The hours are Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to noon and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to noon and Sunday by appointment. For more information e-mail  or call 973.334.6410.