The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday January 24, 2009 - 9 Surrendering a pet I t may not be your first choice, but sometimes it cannot be avoided. Family allergies, a death, a disability -- all are reasons why you are unable to care any further for a pet. Who do you call? For many people the Oakville and District Humane Society (ODHS) seems like the ideal answer. This charitable organization's commitment to the care and protection of the welfare of local animals makes it a natural first choice for people who are seeking alternative care. Unfortunately, that option may not always be available. Shelters, in general, do their best to meet the needs of those people who would like to surrender their animal due to circumstances often beyond their control. But not all shelters operate the same way. "Open admission" shelters take in any animal, at any time. In this case there is usually a higher euthanasia rate due to the volume of animals coming into the shelter at a higher rate than can be adopted out. The ODHS is a "closed admission" shelter that has a very low euthanasia rate because of the controls placed on the number of intakes. The ODHS doors are always open for animals that are stray or abandoned and require care in the absence of an owner. If the animal is owned, however, and is being surrendered to the care of the shelter for rehoming, there may be a wait. Of course, there will always be those emergency situations that can't wait and those animals will be taken in. Because of the ODHS' large catchment area, which includes Milton and Oakville, it is difficult for the shelter to take animals from outside this service area. When the ODHS is able to take in your pet for adoption there are a few guidelines. The animal should be in good health and current with vaccinations. Shelters can have outbreaks of disease and maintaining a surrendered pet's good health is important to the shelter. Current vaccinations help your pet stay healthy if there is an outbreak. A nominal adoption receiving fee is requested to help defray the cost of caring for the animal until it is ready for adoption. Animals being surrendered often require updated vaccinations (e.g. kittens and puppies), spaying or neutering or other procedures before they can be placed in the adoption room to find a new home. But even with all of these requirements fulfilled do not assume that you are a call away from finding care for your pet. Let the ODHS know that you are looking to surrender your pet. By letting the shelter know early on, you can focus on other options and if placing your animal with the shelter becomes a necessity there will be a cage available when you need it. For information, contact the ODHS at 905-845-1551 or www.oakvillehumane.ca. OPEN HOUSE Monday, M nday, January 26th Session will run from 7:30 ­ 8:30 pm and include a short presentation followed follo ed by a tour of our wonderful school. 2232 Sheridan Drive, Oakville 905-829-8048