A movement is underway at the Holbrook Animal Shelter to increase adoptions, and to decrease the number of stray and surrendered animals that wind up at the shelter.
Friends of Holbrook Animal Care, Control and Shelter is a new group dedicated to improving the shelter’s 50 percent euthanasia rate. Rachel Dorsey has been spearheading the group, and noted that her personal goal is to increase the adoption rate to 100 percent and create a model for other communities.
The group is kicking off its efforts with an adoption and education event from 12 noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Kiwanis Dog Park on the west end of Holbrook. In addition to having shelter animals available for immediate adoption, there will be activities for children, and educational talks by Dr. Abbie Reidhead and Animal Control Officer Merrill Young.
One of the first needs of the group is monetary donations to help offset the cost of spay and neuter surgeries in advance of the adoption event. Young explained that in order to have the animals ready for adoption, they must first be spayed or neutered, and that cost will have to be paid whether the animals are adopted or not. He pointed out that Dr. Reidhead has made the surgery as inexpensive as possible for the shelter, but must still cover the cost of pricey anesthesia, medical supplies and staff salaries.
The new group is also looking for volunteers to either spend time helping at the shelter, getting the word out about adoptable animals or coordinating with other rescue organizations. Dorsey noted that there are only about four members at this time and more help is needed to meet the group’s goals. Membership requires a commitment of a minimum of six to eight hours per month and completion of a background check. Young explained that the background check is necessary due to the way the shelter is set up in conjunction with the veterinary clinic.
“You don’t necessarily have to have contact with the animals if you don’t want,” Dorsey said. “You can help us reach out to other rescue organizations.”
Contact with other similar groups has already helped save the lives of some of the animals at the shelter. A young hound was recently transported to Tucson through the help of another group, and she has already found a permanent home with a family that has experience with hunting dogs.
The Holbrook Animal Shelter currently receives an average of about five dogs per week, including strays, owner surrenders and those under quarantine, as well as strays picked up by Navajo County Animal Control. There are 12 kennels at the shelter, and Young noted that he needs to keep at least two open and available for new arrivals, so euthanasia is necessary. On average, about 50 percent of the adoptable animals have been euthanized due to a lack of homes.
“So far, since we’ve had the volunteers, we’ve not had to do any euthanasia on adoptable animals,” Young said.
Dorsey explained that one of the group’s major goals is to step in and promote the animals in a way that Young has not had time to do during the course of his duties, such as on social media and websites, and coordinating adoptions with other rescue agencies.
“Our numbers are pretty typical, but we’d like to change that,” she said. “We want to decrease the number that come in and increase the number that go out.”
In addition to stepping up adoption efforts, the group hopes to reduce the number of stray and unwanted animals in the area by encouraging everyone to have their pets spayed and neutered. Plans call for future funding to be used to hold low cost spay and neuter clinics, as well as educational programs. Dorsey also hopes to create some evening adoption hours at the shelter to help accommodate working individuals.
At this time, donations should be made directly to the Holbrook Veterinary Clinic, where they will be used to directly support spay and neuter surgeries for adoptable animals. Funds may also be used to lower the adoption fee for some animals that are having trouble finding a home.
“Certain breeds are less adoptable and at a higher risk of euthanasia,” Dorsey explained.
The group could also use donations of plush animals for the shelter dogs. The stuffed toys may be dropped off at the shelter or at The Tribune-News office.
A Facebook page featuring adoptable animals at the shelter has been set up and can be found by searching “Holbrook Animal Control” on the site.
“We’re kind of in the beginning stages, but we have a lot of hope,” Dorsey said.
For more information, or to receive a volunteer application, contact the Holbrook Animal Shelter at 524-6828.
