Adopt A Pet in Ruidoso
Announcement!! The Humane Society is having a summer 2008 adoption special:
Adult cat $45
1 cat & 1 kitten $75 for the pair
1 adult dog $55 if already spayed or neutered
(Regular adoption fee is $75)
Our featured pet of the week is Sophie. Just look at that face! It’s so soft and gentle. Sophie is a sweet bundle of joy who would love to have someone equally sweet and gentle take her home. She is young and weighs only 35 pounds. To adopt Sophie or another animal in need please call 575-257-9841 or check out our adoptable pets.
ABOUT THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF LINCOLN COUNTY
The Humane Society of Lincoln County operates the Animal Shelter and Resale Shop in Ruidoso. Their ongoing mission is engaging the community to:
- Provide shelter and comfort to homeless pets;
- Place adoptable pets into homes where they find respect, value and protection;
- Educate the public on humane issues;
- Find solutions to the problems that confront the animals of our community.
History: The shelter was built in 1987 and founded by two women who wanted to make a difference in the community. To date, there are 7 employees and 9 board members. The board is elected by the Humane Society members, so if you would like your vote to count, please consider partnering with the shelter by following the link on the website. For more information on the board members and their function, please contact the shelter directly.
Future Goals: As of March 2008, the one of the shelter’s biggest goals is to get the necessary funds for a Spay/Neuter clinic that will hopefully open in May. The first phase of the clinic is have a modular building installed on the current Humane Society property. Four local vets will come in for half a day per week to spay and neuter up to 8-10 animals. An additional $10,000 is needed to bring this project to fruition. After the clinic becomes established and functioning properly, the next goal is to move the adoption center to a facility on 3-5 acres with a dog park. Right now, the shelter desperately needs a larger building with drains in each kennel and separate quarters for those needing to be quarantined. Visit the Humane Society’s website to find out how to donate to this important cause.
Fund raising: The biggest fund raiser, (and one of the biggest social events of Ruidoso) is the Furr Ball. Tickets to the event are bought in advance and they usually sell out quickly. Throughout the evening there are drawings, auctions for items donated by local artists and merchants, and live entertainment. New members of the community are encouraged to attend. It is a great environment in which to network and make new friends, not to mention have a TON of fun.
FAQs:
Q: What are the hours of operation for the shelter?
A: The shelter is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 AM-5 PM and Saturday 11 AM-2 PM. It is closed Wednesdays and Sundays.
Q: How much does it cost to adopt a pet?
A: The cost is $75 per animal. This includes rabies vaccinations, shots, a microchip in the event you and your pet become separated, and spaying/neutering costs. (This is an incredibly reasonable fee considering that the average cost per animal for its stay at the shelter comes to about $284).
Q: How long does an animal typically stay at the shelter?
A: On average, each animal’s stay lasts 2-4 months if they adopt well. It is a case by case scenario, so shelter times may be less than or exceed this time frame.
Q: What if I don’t have money to donate to the shelter? Can I help in other ways?
A: Yes! The Humane Society is always in need of good volunteers. (It is recommended that the dog walkers be physically fit to handle the trail and the demands of the dogs who may not be leash trained). Hours are flexible. Just talk to the staff at the shelter to schedule times. Dog walkers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult, but the dogs greatly benefit from human contact and being able to get outside as much as possible. In comparison, the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society makes sure that its dogs are walked three times a day. The dogs at the shelter in Ruidoso typically get walked two to three times a week. It has been proven that dogs who are given plenty of exercise and attention do better in the shelters and adapt more easily into homes.
The Resale Shop has also become a popular volunteer location for those who are too afraid to become attached to the animals at the shelter. Those with a keen sense of treasure hunting or those with retail experience are encouraged to find a niche helping out in the shop. The funds generated from the Humane Society Resale Shop contribute up to 20% of the needed income to run the shelter. Every volunteer plays an important role in helping Lincoln County’s lost and orphaned pets.
Q: Is the shelter a no-kill facility?
A: Animals who have been brought into the facility with rabies, or those who may have other conditions which would make them un-adoptable are the only animals that are euthanized. Most of the animals do not fall into this category. The shelter’s goal is to adopt as many animals as possible into loving and caring homes.
To adopt, volunteer or donate, please call or email the Humane Society
Phone: 575-257-9841
E-mail: sheltermgr@adoptNMpet.com
To Subscribe to future Ruidoso Blog articles via email- click here
