About Us
Our Objective
Adopt-A-Pet’s long term goals are to continue to find loving families for homeless dogs and cats as well as assist people in the community with their personal animals. Each animal entering our care receives the highest level of medical and emotional care possible. In addition, we continue to educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering their pets as well as proper pet care. We have programs to help reduce the amount of animals entering shelters. We will continue to work with other shelters to reduce the amount of animals killed in overcrowded shelters each day. We look forward to a day when no animal will be without a loving family!
Mission Statement
To assist the community by providing a means to place unwanted healthy, adoptable pets in good family environments and to make the public aware of such animal issues as care, welfare, and the hazards of overpopulation.
We pledge:
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To elevate the status of animals in society by changing the way people acquire them and how they commit to those pets who become a part of their family
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To relieve the plight of homeless pets
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To reduce the overpopulation of cats and dogs
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To provide medical care and/or socialization to all animals in our care
Our Facility
We grew out of our previous facility on Ellen Street. Near
the end of 2006, a few board members happened upon an
old fraternity house. The house was in such disarray we
thought it would take years to get to where we are now.
We visited many other facilities to learn how to renovate.
The best experience we had was going out to Best Friends
Animal Sanctuary in Utah. There we learned what building
material to use, how important ventilation and windows are
and what to do to make it the most sterile environment
possible. In addition, we were able to add many things for
the animal's mental well-being. After much hard work, many
volunteers and a highly discounted contractor we have an
incredible, state-of-the-art facility for our animals and customers.
Much thought went into every detail on what was best for the animals'
physical and mental well-being. We now have separate open areas for our cats and kittens with catios (cat patios), visitation areas, a separate dog building (with heated floors), a surgical suite, quarantine areas for animals recovering from illness and nine acres with large fenced areas for the dogs to play. Our open cat and kitten rooms allow the animals to roam free and socialize. Large windows and catios allow for fresh air and outdoor stimulation. Our volunteers enjoy the rooms too. The state-of-the-art dog building has cleanable, sterile surfaces without the sterile feeling. The dogs have spacious rooms, comfortable Kuranda dog beds and lots of toys to provide mental stimulation. They even have their own agility course to play on - or sunbathe. The property boasts beautiful walking trails and landscaping. There is nothing like it around and truly a "must see".
The Journey
by Crystal Ward Kent
When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey - a journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also test your strength and courage.
If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.
Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures - jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears.
You will find yourself doing silly things
that your pet-less friends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the cat food brand your feline must have, driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewy toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie - with a cat in hot pursuit - all in the name of love.
Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crankily sound.
You will learn the true measure of love - the steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together." Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race.
And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.
If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be - the one they were proud to call beloved friend.
I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go. A pet's time on earth is far too short - especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for a while, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left.
The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle now gray. Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead - young and whole once more. "Godspeed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.
