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Dogs are standing on their hindlegs with front paws stretched high on the gates of their pens. They push each other out of the way so their heads can be the first patted when a kind human hand reaches through. Some have eager looks of anticipation with tails wagging. Others have pleading eyes with tails limp, wagging slowly and tentatively. And a few are timid with tails tucked between their legs. Then there are the cats. It's harder to read their feelings. Many curl up and seem to sleep through their incarceration. But those aren't happy dreams they're having. They're frightened and confused by their situation. These innocent creatures didn't deserve to be abandoned. Others had good homes but somehow got separated from family. All have one thing in common–the good fortune of ending up at the Pets And People Humane Society of Yukon. One thing that sets this organization apart is it rescues animals strictly from pounds and shelters around the state. The reason–they're actually an adoption agency, not a sanctuary. "So many animals are euthanized in those shelters, we must concentrate on saving the ones whose time is up and others we feel are adoptable," says Pets and People President Karen Musselman. "Our mission is to get as many cats and dogs adopted as we can." However, once an animal is saved, it won't be killed. The cats and dogs must be moved as quickly as possible to make room for the next bunch in the never ending line of doomed animals awaiting rescue. Pets and People has placed more than 20,000 animals since 1992–3,900 last year alone. The organization celebrated the opening of a new shelter in 1999 and added another 1,200 square feet in 2001. The building is shared with the Yukon pound, a unique operation that's working well. This relationship, in part, helps the pound achieve one of the lowest euthanasia rates in the country. The facility has a surgery room that eliminates time spent in carting dogs and cats to the veterinarian for spaying and neutering. Now, a vet comes there. Also, dogs are checked for heartworms and cats for feline leukemia. Processing so many new animals on a weekly basis is costly. Pets and People depends on donations of money, food, equipment and time. Until recently, it was run entirely by volunteers. The first employees were hired in the year 2000–a vet tech and parttime kennel help. The shelter is conveniently open from noon to 6, seven days a week. Animals can be adopted there or at weekend adoption fairs at local Petsmarts. The shelter can't hold all the dogs and cats that flood in. Some are fostered out; the foster parents then bring them to the adoption fairs. The homes are a good place for some of the special-needs dogs that make good pets under certain conditions, like a dog that must have a six-foot fence or one that needs to be an only pet or in a home without small children. They find creative ways to showcase the older long-termers, such as offering them at half price. Pets and People's reach is wide, thanks to a superb Web site (www.petsandpeople.com). Surprisingly, people from all over the country have adopted from them. Musselman says, "The Internet has been an enormous help to us." Some pure breed dog organizations come across the Web site and rescue dogs that fall into their categories. Reporters note: I have adopted a cat and dog from Pets and People. They're excellent pets that my husband and I love very much. One of my daughters adopted a kitten that was born in one of the foster homes. This fortunate feline never knew she was a stray! The unselfish and dedicated volunteers of Pets and People deserve to be commended for the job they do. And thousands of cats and dogs can thank them for their lives. Back to OKC Animal Welfare |
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