The holiday season is fast approaching, and everyone is scrambling to find the perfect gift for his or her loved one.  For anyone who may be out of ideas of what to put under the tree for Christmas, it is always a great thought to try something new and unexpected.  What better idea than to surprise your loved one with a pet?

“We experience our highest adoption rates in the fall,” says Dawn Blanton, Moultrie/Colquitt County Humane Society Director.  “Most of our cats and dogs are taken home in the months from early fall to about March.”

The Moultrie/Colquitt County Humane Society is the place to go if you are interested in finding the perfect pet for your home.  The mission of the Humane Society is the prevention of cruelty to companion animals and to educate the general public of the responsibility, proper care, and treatment of companion animals.

“On average, we have between 120 and 130 cats and dogs at our facility,” Dawn says.  “Not all of them are available for adoption immediately; there is a five-day holding period for strays in order to see if they are claimed by owners.  We normally have about 70 percent of strays claimed within the holding period.”

Licensed by the Georgia State Department of Agriculture, the Humane Society is a non-profit organization that simply wants to find a good home for each and every animal that comes into their facility.  Originally opened in 1982, the facility was housed in a single-wide trailer with no kennels.  Today, there are 44 kennels in the current location, which has been in use since the late 1980s.

The process is simple.  Adoptions are a flat rate of $30.00, which includes worming, a complete physical exam, a canine or feline distemper combo vaccine, and the installation of a microchip.  After this has been completed, the new owner is then required to have their new pet spayed or neutered by the veterinarian of his or her choice (the owner must pay for the process).

The organization also makes their process as stress-free as possible; if you are busy or unable to physically visit the facility for any reason, their website features photo galleries that provide the name, breed, and age of every available dog and cat, which can help to expedite the adoption process.

“These animals go through so much before they end up in our care,” Dawn says.  “Adoption is arguably the best day of their lives.  It’s almost as if they know that they are heading home to a new, caring family.  These animals are full of unconditional love, and it’s always great to see them find someone to share that love with.”

So if you need a holiday gift idea, give the Moultrie/Colquitt County Humane Society a visit.  You might find a pet that your family will love.  But, more importantly, you may be able to find a pet that loves your family, and you’ll be able to give two gifts for the price of one.

Address
1412 1^st Street NE
Moultrie, Georgia 31776

Phone Number
(229) 985-5463

Email
moultriehs@yahoo.com

Website
http://www.petango.com/shelters/817

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Moultrie Colquitt County Humane Society

Health-Life/November 2015

Moultrie/Colquitt County Humane Society

Moultrie, Georgia

By James Washington

Photographer: Micki K Photography