MANSFIELD — Adopting a dog is serious.
Potential owners must first recognize the undertaking which comes with being responsible for an animal, such as food, medical bills and supplies.
One must also take into account the dog’s potential fit with the individual, family, children or possibly other pets it may encounter once brought home.
“A lot of people are on the fence because they don’t know where they (the dog) came from,” said April Friend, a volunteer at the Richland County Dog Warden’s Office and Shelter.
Friend and other volunteers spend large amounts of time getting to know the dogs. She said her recommendation to potential owners is to come meet a dog and return a second time with their family, children or other pets to see how everyone interacts.
“Sometimes it’s the owner’s dog that picks the dog that they want to come home, so I always say to put a couple dogs in there that you like and let your dog decide,” Friend said.
“Adopting a dog is giving them that second chance, because there’s something different about shelter dogs than buying a dog from a breeder. They almost appreciate you more.
“You saved them. You’re giving them a good situation when sometimes they weren’t in one.”
Share the love of Christmas with a shelter dog
On Saturday, volunteers and staff were available at the shelter from 2 to 5 p.m. for an after-hours adoption event and garage sale.
New and gently used items were offered at no set price in return for donations. Visitors could donate cash, dog treats and food, paper towels, laundry detergent, hot dogs and dog toys, among other offerings.
The event was also an opportunity to welcome potential dog owners into the shelter during non-regular hours. As of Saturday, there are currently 102 dogs at the shelter.
There are 82 dogs available for adoption, 13 are on hold and seven adoptions are pending.
Friend said fundraising events like Saturday’s are vital to supporting the shelter.
“If you have one dog, you know how much one dog eats. Imagine 102 dogs,” she said.
“Donations are always the key for us. Food, treats and canned goods — all that stuff can always be used.”
Monetary donations made to the shelter largely go towards medical expenses for its dogs.
The shelter is also running a Christmas Dog Bone Ornament fundraiser, which launched Saturday. Dog owners can purchase a white ($10), silver ($20) or gold ($50) ornament at 810 N. Home Road to honor their current dog or one who has crossed the rainbow bridge.
Ornaments will display the dogs’ names and will be placed on the shelter’s Christmas tree.
(Below are more images from Saturday’s after hours adoption event and garage sale at the Richland County Dog Warden’s Office and Shelter in Mansfield.)
Fundraisers assist shelter’s medical costs
Richland County Dog Warden Missy Houghton said the shelter tries to put on events outside of normal business hours so people who work during regular operating hours can attend.
As a self-funded organization, largely through the sale of dog-tag licenses, fines and other fees, Houghton said fundraisers help the shelter with spay and neuter services, as well as additional medical care.
“We do a lot of stuff that other shelters can’t necessarily afford to do because they don’t have that kind of support system, so it’s (fundraising) super helpful for us,” she said.
To learn more about how you can adopt a dog, visit the organization’s website by clicking here. For more information about dogs that are available for adoption, visit its Facebook page here.
