| 12 Questions With Animal Control
Department Director
Wendy Johnson
Q:
Is there a screening process for possible animal owners?
A: Yes,
if you wish to adopt an animal from the Animal Shelter you will need to be at
least twenty-one years of age, have a verifiable identification with your birthday,
and you will also need to fill out an application form.
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| Q: How can the community
become involved at the Animal Shelter?
A: If you want to be involved with the Animal Shelter, there is a volunteer
program that you may join. Most importantly, the people of the community must
understand that being a responsible pet owner is a tremendous help. By tagging
your pet with identification tags and by spaying or neutering your animal, you
are helping to lessen the number of stray animals.
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Q: What do I need to reclaim
my lost animal?
A: If you wish to reclaim your lost dog, you need
to have identification that proves it is your pet, such as licensing papers, and
if the dog was not previously licensed, it must be licensed at the time the animal
is reclaimed; dogs must have a license tag on its collar. If you wish to reclaim
your lost cat, you need to have the cat registered. If it is not, then you must
register the pet before you can reclaim it.
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Q: What does it cost to
adopt an animal?
A: To adopt a cat, the cost is anywhere between
$25 and $35. For dogs, the cost ranges anywhere between $27.50 and $60.50.
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Q: What happens to animals
that aren't adopted?
A: Unfortunately , animals that are not adopted
are put to sleep.
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Q: What do I do if I find
a lost animal?
A: If you find an animal, report it immediately to
the Animal Shelter by calling 343-1803. From there, we will hold the animal between
five to ten days, to give the owner a chance to retrieve his or her pet: if the
owner does not come, the animal will be put up for adoption.
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Q: What animals do you
offer for adoption?
A: We mainly offer cats and dogs for adoption,
but occasionally, we will offer rabbits, ferrets, and guinea pigs.
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Q: Do you spay or neuter
the animals at the shelter?
A: No, we do not spay or neuter the
cats and dogs here. Hopefully in the future, we will be able to provide this option
for the community. But, as of right now, if you want to spay or neuter your cat
or dog, call your local veterinarian.
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Q: How long do cats and
dogs stay at the Animal Shelter?
A: Whenever a cat or dog is brought
to the Animal Shelter, we hold the animal for between five and ten days, without
putting them up for adoption: this gives their owners the chance to reclaim them.
If the owner does not do so, we will then put them up for adoption and they will
stay here for up to eight months, if room is available.
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Q: Do the owners' of lost
cats and dogs always reclaim their pets?
A: No, in most cases the
pets' owners do not reclaim them. Only about 2% of cat's owners will reclaim their
pet and only 20% of dogs owners will reclaim them.
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Q: Where can I make a donation?
A: There is a new program called Paws Across Oswego County. PAOC plans to assist
local animal shelters through donations and voluntary services, to ensure that
all cats and dogs are spayed and neutered when they are adopted, to control breeding
ordinances, and to provide a low-cost spay/neuter clinic that is available to
Oswego County residents. If you would like to make a donation please send a check
or money order to:
Paws Across Oswego County
c/o Marg Wentworth
2035 County Route
1
Oswego, NY 13126
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Q: Where can I find out
further information?
A: You can contact Kelly Harrington by phone at 343-1803 or by e-mail at
kharring@oswegony.org. The Animal Shelter is located at 621 East Seneca Street,
Oswego, New York 13126.
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