After reasonable searching at shelters, I rescued a female Pomeranian at DMAS about 9-12 months old.
I came to understand a shelter knows little of an animals real behavior or history as most are admitted under less than ideal situations- usually danger.
1. The current shelter is a little hard to locate. W. Alameda and Jason (almost S. Platte Drive). A small sign marks the street- watch carefully and don't worry that it appears there COULDN'T be a shelter nearby- there is.
2. The current shelter has a little "needy" look to it. Clearly not the Webb or Castro Building- but decent and clean and run down.
3. The staff were reasonably personable. I find most who work for the government to be rehearsed in responses to customer/citizens. No particular offense, just not much of a cordial or warm situation. Then again, some squealing/pooch loving something or the other wouldn't have endeared them to me anymore.
4. The dogs (don't care for felines- so no checking out during visits) appeared to be well cared for. The cages are stark, but roomy, some had a blanket or other object. The 4 days I visited, each time I saw volunteers engaging the dogs in walks and yibberish. There is a slight jail feel to the entire facility. Doors and cages.
5. The kennels are divided into three aisles/sections. Some are being held pending the owner coming. Others are on a medical hold or receiving treatment, and the last group is available for adoption. A color code system is used on file cards with paper notes attached to the grate of the otherwise concrete 'cage"/cell/holding area/strech to believe it is a kennel. I noted often the initial diagnosis or issue was crossed out and something new replaced. This diminished their credibility. Is this a male or female?Spayed or not? Stray or surrendered. Leash trained or not?
The process for adoption, I thought was reasonable.
I visited several days, without a pooch catching my attention- or theirs.
On a Saturday visit I saw "Lucille", and unlike some of the other ball catchers, she quickly came to the edge of her kennel and licked my hands. I came back several times, and each time she reacted positively. She had that "take me home, daddy" Karma.
The front desk workers advised she was a stray and on Thursday would be seen by a Vet and Friday available for adoption. This was a "first come-first get" system. If more than one person wanted her- a simple drawing would decide. If everything checked out with the VET, come Friday at 11 AM. she'd available.
Friday came, and another fella was interested. Names were drawn and unlike about every other "contest"- I won.
Lucille had not been "Fixed"---they thought. They'd be shipping her off to nearby Harrison Clinic for a check, fix, shots, and some baby teeth pulling. I could get her on Monday afternoon. I thought all things considered- this was reasonable.
Monday afternoon I picked up a surprisingly spry pooch, given her stuff had just gotten messed with! Harrison is a little easier to find, if you are at least broadly familar with Denver's west side.
Overall a good experience.
Overall a reasonable price- about $120 for the adoption ($40) plus "fixing" a rabies shot and the teeth pulls.
The application was simple, and no references were required.
I had a new appreciation for the city's responsibility to keep animals safe and owners in line. read more