Williamson County Animal Shelter Begs People To Adopt Pets

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — "Help." That's the message from Williamson County Regional Animal Shelterofficials — in capitalized, red letters no less — as they struggle to find homes for a glut of dogs and cats in need of homes.

"Since February we have been begging for help and today we are desperate," shelter officials wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday. "Yesterday, 13 more dogs came into our shelter which already had 20 dogs too many. Please. Help.- Foster!"

Residents who have been thinking of rescuing a shelter animal but unsure if they're ready can try fostering one, bringing it into one's home on a trial basis to see how the animal acclimates to its new surroundings and reacts with others in the new dwelling. The ultimate goal is to find shelter dwellers a "forever home," but the fostering option is of mutual benefit — giving a furry friend welcome reprieve from its confinement while helping to unburden harried shelter employees.

"Bring home a large or medium dog for just a little bit," officials implored.

For prospective pet owners thinking about adopting, shelter officials are sweetening the pot: "We are hosting FREE ADOPTIONS for adult dogs and cats," shelter officials said. "Tell your friends or rescue groups you may know.We cannot do this alone. We need your help today."

According to the pet insurance company Animal Friends, there are at least 10 benefits to adopting a shelter animal. Company officials posted such advantage as part of the Love Rehoming campaign:

• Saving a life: In adopting from a shelter, people literally give animals a second chance at life. Many shelter denizens have been rescued from horrific cruelty, neglect or abandonment. While shelter animals do their best to care for the hapless critters — nursing them back to health, rehabilitating emotionally scarred creatures, lifting the poor creatures' spirits — sometimes shelters have to euthanize animals when space runs out.
• You'll save money: Shelters generally microchip, spay, neuter and vaccinate animals that fall under their care — saving adopters such expenses for such procedures they otherwise would have to pay for themselves. Moreover, adoption fees from shelters are exponentially less than prices charged by professional breeders.
• Eradicating puppy mills: The puppy farm business model is to maximize profit with little regard for the animals' health or well-being. Dogs at puppy farms are forced to breed numerous times, and are often kept in substandard conditions. The profit margin focus invariably means breeders are less concerned with producing healthy animals, and health problems often emerge after customers take ownership of their new pets secured from such mills.
• Make you happy and improve your health: Studies have shown that owning a pet can actually extend people's lives while improving overall happiness and health. Pets are a good antidote to such maladies as anxiety, depression and stress given the close relationships between pet owner and their furry friend. The mere act of stroking a pet can increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine, yielding a calm and relaxed feeling. And don't get us started on walking the noble beast, which prompts otherwise sedentary people to get out of the house and get much-needed exercise.
• Benefits for children: Valuable life lessons can be imparted to kids through pet ownership — responsibility in feeding the animal and providing it with fresh water, tending to its needs and taking it out for needed walks. Pets also help children cope with anxiety by offering them a sense of security. Pets also automatically provide children a loving companion and playmate.
• Built-in house training: Many animals found at shelters have already been house trained by their former owners, especially older dogs.
• Unconditional love: Need we say more?
• Unexpected surprises: You might learn something about yourself when entering a shelter and falling in love with a certain type of animal you never thought would appeal to you. This is one of life's many surprises, and you'll have gained a trusty companion who never judges you in the process.
• Unwavering companionship of older pets: Many people insist on seeking puppies and kittens without considering the advantage of owning an older animal. More mature animals are less likely to destroy your belongings (your couch or shoes, just to name two). Older pets are often calmer creatures content to simply sit with you without the need for constant attention. Older animals' personalities also are fully established, making it easier to judge how compatible you would be with them.
• Support of spaying and neutering: In adopting a shelter animal, you're also saying "I support the idea of spaying or neutering animals in order to control the animal population." Many pets that aren't spayed/neutered end up at shelters, unwanted by their owners.

Need more convincing? Here's an informative video produced by the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter yielding further insight:

Still need convincing? Check out this week's pets of the week:

What's not to love? Check out other dogs currently at the shelter by clicking here, and cats needing a forever home by clicking here. There's even a pair of guinea pigs looking for a forever home, Chayse and Charlie! The shelter even has barn cats on hand, ideal for homeowners with acreage needing a trusty feline for natural pest control. And, really, if you think about it: What's a barn without a barn cat?

The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is located at 1855 SE Inner Loop in Georgetown, Texas. The telephone number is (512) 943-3322, and hours of operation are:

• Friday: noon to 6 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Monday: noon to 6 p.m.
• Tuesday: noon to 6 p.m.
• Wednesday: noon to 6 p.m.
• Thursday: noon to 6 p.m.

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