Every being deserves a home, and with appropriate forethought and planning, the holidays can be a wonderful time to adopt a pet.
Joanne Colebank, a volunteer at Little Rock Animal Village and a board member of Friends of the Animal Village, advises against gifting a pet unless it has already been discussed or agreed upon. Instead, she suggests giving an adoption certificate so the recipient can choose their own animal.
“Always consider starting your animal search at a shelter,” Joanne says. “Shelters are so overcrowded, and you are saving a life in most cases when you adopt from a shelter.”
Most shelter pets are fully vetted, and adoption fees are far less than purchasing from a breeder. Many animal shelters also offer foster programs for those who want to see what type of pet best suits their lifestyle.
“Rescues also depend on fosters to be able to ‘pull' animals from shelters,” Joanne says. “To foster would be a good opportunity to see if you are ready for a long-term commitment of an animal."
Across Arkansas, many organizations work tirelessly to rehome pets.
Little Rock Animal Village
The Little Rock Animal Village not only houses the city’s Animal Services department but also features an adoption center with five play yards and a learning center for volunteers to promote animal welfare. With a fully staffed veterinary clinic, LRAV has cared for thousands of animals every year since 2007. They also receive supplemental support from Friends of the Animal Village. For more information, visit friendsoftheanimalvillage.org.
CARE for Animals Inc.
Since its founding in 1998, CARE has evolved from four volunteers into a nonprofit corporation with three employees and hundreds of volunteers, who have saved over 4,800 animals. While it doesn’t operate a physical shelter, CARE relies on volunteers to foster pets until they find permanent homes. Through their efforts to reduce overpopulation, CARE has spayed/neutered nearly 14,000 pets. For more information, visit careforanimals.org.
The Humane Society of Pulaski County
The Humane Society of Pulaski County has been a cornerstone for animal rescues and veterinary care since 1946. It is Central Arkansas’s largest and oldest no-kill shelter and typically houses 200 animals at any given time. All adoptable and foster dogs and cats are available through online applications. The organization also runs Puppy Love, an outreach program that takes animals to local nursing homes and hospitals. For more information, visit warmhearts.org.
Last Chance Arkansas
Last Chance Arkansas has worked statewide to rescue abused and abandoned animals since 2005. The organization offers low-cost spay and neuter services and visits to underfunded shelters to save animals in need. LCA provides guidance to local pet owners on the importance of spaying and neutering, behavior training and nutrition. It also partners with Arkansas Paws in Prison to help inmates in rehabilitation using shelter dogs. For more information, visit lastchancear.org.
“Always consider starting your animal search at a shelter. Shelters are so overcrowded, and you are saving a life in most cases when you adopt from a shelter.”