Humane Society resumes adoption days
RSVP seeks seniors 55+ to help with pets

Hunting homes

Now that cooler fall weather has reached East Texas, The Jasper Lakes Area Humane Society (JLAHS) has resumed pet adoption days every other weekend, according to volunteer Barbara Smith.

JLAHS had a dozen dogs, a few cats and a pair of sugar gliders (small hamster-like marsupials) up for adoption at Equine Day Out Sept. 30. They will have more pets and several children's activities at Fall Fest, Oct. 7, at the courthouse square in Jasper.

They have recently requested more volunteers from RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) that matches people age 55+ with programs who need helping hands.

Volunteers can help in several ways. JLAHS is the only humane society between Beaumont and Angelina County. They do not have a shelter, so pet foster parents are needed to provide homes for animals awaiting adoption.

"Parents" need to have a fenced yard and proper shelter; JLAHS provides food, veterinary care, and supplies for the animals. Smith's granddaughter, Sania, 8, says it's sometimes hard to give them up after she's cared for them, but she knows there are always more pets needing help.

ELVIS (ABOVE) AND THIS BLACK PUP are hunting for nice homes.To adopt either of these dogs or other animals call Jasper Lakes Area Humane Society at 384-8251 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday or visit PetLink at www.jas.net/~jar.

Volunteers also help with fund raisers and getting donations from local businesses. Alot of what JLAHS does is follow up to see that adopted pets are receiving the care promised.

People who adopt pets agree to provide food and shelter, current ID tags and vaccinations, to spay or neuter the animal, not to chain or tie the animal, and not to breed the animal.

Groomer Sandy Perry provides her services free to pets going to adoption day so that they look their best. And yet many of the pets have been abandoned or abused and take a lot of care and attention before they show well.

JLAHS recently picked up two brindle great danes that had been left to starve for three weeks, Smith said. She didn't have them at adoption day because they looked like empty hides draped over sticks, so they were at Dr. Fain's until they were strong enough to go to foster home.

For more information on volunteering for the RSVP program, call Ginger Studensky at 384-5704.

For information on pet adoptions and where future pet adoption days will take place, call JLAHS at 384- 8251 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday or visit the petfinder link at www.jas.net/~jar.