Week 14 of shelter in place: the Humboldt County Animal Shelter is down to five adoptable dogs, though there are a couple in the wings that may be available by the time this paper hits the newsstands. The kittens hinted at last week have arrived; most of them are still a little young for adoption…
Dogtown: Animal shelter nearly empty
Week seven of shelter in place: the shelter has only three adoptable dogs and five dogs in hold on site! Six other adoptable dogs are out with foster families (but still available). For comparison, the shelter was averaging around 25 adoptable dogs and a like number of dogs on hold around the start of the…
Dogtown: Influx of dogs at the shelter
The start of 2020 brought a lot of dogs into the shelter. Hard to tell whether that was a result of scary fireworks, owners out of town, wind opening gates or what, but we are hoping that they will still be claimed by their owners. For now, the shelter population is higher than we’d like.…
Dogtown: Sweet Tater never fails to entertain
I’m writing this week from the middle of a fascinating workshop presented by a group called the Shelter Playgroup Alliance. They have come here to share their experience with various forms of enrichment for shelter dogs, including how to safely create playgroups for the dogs so that they get to have social time with their…
Dogtown: A full shelter means adopters get a discount
If you have been considering adding a dog to your family, now is the time! The shelter is filled to capacity and then some, thanks in part to the dog nightmare that is the Fourth of July. We never really know why sometimes dogs come in and turn right around and go back out, and…
Dogtown: Bomb-proof pups enter Kinetic race
Sparky the Kinetic Foster Dog will be riding in the Kinetic Sculpture Race again this weekend! Sparky will be accompanied by several adoptable dogs at the Arcata Plaza on Saturday. These will be what we think of as the bomb-proof dogs, as there usually are several thousand onlookers at the start of the race! Look…
Dogtown: Brandy, you’re a fine girl. What a good pet you would be
Some of the cats and dogs that arrive at the Humboldt County Animal Shelter are in need of veterinary care due to illness or injury. The shelter’s funding covers the initial vaccinations, worming and flea medication for all the incoming animals, plus spays and neuters before the adoptable cats and dogs may leave the shelter. …
Dogtown: A sturdy Mamacita and a pair of pocket pups
We have had lots of adoptions this past week! It is always so rewarding to see the dogs go off to new homes, especially the ones who have been at the shelter or in foster homes for a while. We can really see the positive effects of the training and socialization that the dogs get…
Dogtown: Meet these sweet, sociable little dogs
I’m writing this week from San Francisco, where I have come to attend the 2019 Canine Science Symposium at San Francisco State University. Three of us who volunteer at the shelter will be joining the shelter’s facility manager at what we hope will be an exciting weekend of lectures and workshops on dog behavior, adoption…
Dogtown: Bouncy Comet, Rosie on the rebound
One of the dogs at the shelter is our friendly Comet. Comet is about a year old. She is so dog-friendly that the shelter staff use her to check the new dogs for friendliness! Comet likes all kinds of play. She’ll happily fetch a ball, or splash in puddles, or romp with another dog. And…
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