Addison County Humane Society Adopt-a-thon Finds Pets New Homes

Author: Elizabeth Braunstein

Last weekend, the Addison County Humane Society (ACHS) held its first adopt-a-thon, an event conducted annually by the National Humane Society to promote cat and dog adoption. The 24-year-old non-profit organization maintains a mission of being "dedicated to fostering the humane treatment of animals in Addison County," said ACHS Shelter Manager Sara Kurtz.
Primarily, the Humane Society operates a shelter at which stray animals are cared for until a new family can be found for them. "We try and match up an animal with the family as best as we can. If a family comes in and says they work all the time, a puppy may not be the best option. In the end, we make the match for both the needs of the animal and family," said Kurtz.
Additionally, the shelter refuses to euthanize animals that are not adopted, which has led, in particular, to an overabundance of cats at the shelter.
Kurtz explained, "Our capacity for cats is around 20 but we have somewhere around 60 cats and some have been here for a while." This past weekend, only eight animals were adopted. "Come and adopt," Kurtz stressed, revealing the most effective way members of the community could help out.
As part of the adoption procedure, the ACHS requires new families to spay or neuter their new pet. The procedure is part of the adoption cost and families can have it done with their veterinarians for a reduced fee. This simple procedure is strongly recommended by the ACHS for all animals in order to reduce the population of homeless animals in the community.
The ACHS also promotes animal welfare, provides community resources and enhances the connection between people and animals. Programs range from animal welfare educational programs to teaching children at school how to properly take care of their pets. The ACHS also responds to complaints of cruelty and neglect within the Addison County community.
Because the ACHS is a non-profit organization, the shelter relies heavily on volunteers, especially from Middlebury College, and private and member donations. With a total of 400 members reached this past December, its new goal is to reach 450 members by December 2003.
Local businesses also contribute to the success of the ACHS by donating shares of their profits. Neil and Ottos' Pizza donates proceeds from one nights' sales each month to the shelter while Middlebury Discount Beverage collects empty bottles and donates the returned deposits to the ACHS.
Volunteer opportunities for students at the shelter include working at the front desk, collecting and distributing "Dog Banks" around the community, posting flyers, taking pets to nursing homes and hospitals for pet therapy, training dogs and picking up and delivering cat and dog food.
"It's a lot of fun. I take the dogs on walks and play with the cats and kittens, giving the animals attention as they wait to find a new home," said first-year Sam Padgett, a regular volunteer.
Upcoming events include the ACHS Annual Dinner at the Vergennes Opera House on June 1, a tag sale on June 7, Woofstock on August 23 and the Annual ACHS Membership meeting on September 15.
To volunteer, become a member or get more information about adoption, contact the Addison County Humane Society at (802) 388-1100 or visit its Web site at www.addisonhumane.org.