Looking for a warm, furry friend to keep you company when the weather gets cold? The McKean County SPCA has a wide variety of pet-worthy creatures looking for a good home.
In fact, the agency is nearing capacity with its dog population and has a waiting list of cats that are waiting for a spot in the shelter.
To encourage new pet owners, the SPCA has a current sale on dogs and cats, said Meg Girard, SPCA office manager.
The adoption fee for dogs has been cut in half, down to $75 currently. Dogs can be adopted for half-off until the end of November, she said.
Girard said the organization has 45 dogs right now.
“While we can still take in more, about 10 more, then we really are completely full,” she explained.
As for cats, people can currently adopt any cat that is a year old or older for free with the donation of a bag of cat food. The SPCA feeds its cats Purina Naturals.
The shelter, with 115 cats, is filled to capacity with felines. There is a waiting list of more cats that are waiting for a spot in the shelter, so each time a cat is adopted from the shelter, one of the cats on the list can move in.
What people can do in the meantime if they have a cat they cannot take care of is a difficult question, according to Girard.
She said they have sent people to other area groups such as E.A.R.S. Also, the Bradford-based organization No Feline Left Behind, which provides services such as getting stray cats fixed, has helped with the local cat population.
For anyone who likes being around dogs but isn’t able to take on a full-time pet, consider stopping at the SPCA to volunteer walking dogs.
“Even an extra 20 minutes outside of the kennel” can make a difference to the dog, according to Girard.
“We would like to get the dogs comfortable with everyone rather than just staff,” she explained, as it is easier when they are adopted.
Donations of dog food — Diamond Naturals lamb and rice formula, which comes in a red bag — as well as bleach are also appreciated.
Before a family can take a new pet home, there is an application, called a pre-adopt, that interested pet owners need to fill out.
Girard explained a couple of the biggest things they look for in applicants.
First, if the person already has a pet, the SPCA checks that the person’s other pets are currently up-to-date on their yearly vaccinations. Second, the SPCA finds out if the applicant rents or owns their home; if they rent, they need permission from their landlord.
“It’s typically a two to three day process,” she noted.
Seeing the shelter fill up can be difficult for staff, particularly when they see cats and dogs that have become longtime tenants.
For one, Major, a small dog that is 14 years old and loves cuddling, is suffering from some health problems and needs extra care. Major has heart issues, cataracts and needs medicine because his eyes don’t create tears.
On Wednesday, he was curled up on the office desk, sleeping peacefully, but he goes home with a staff member who takes care of him at night.
The next event on the McKean County SPCA’s schedule is on Oct. 31. The SPCA will be open to trick-or-treaters looking for candy. The cats will be out to visit, and there will be a handcrafted quilt to be raffled off.
