There are many more dogs at our shelter besides the ones on here, as time permits they will be added, however you are always welcome to call and ask what dogs we currently have available for adoption. To give a loving dog a forever home, please contact us via the information at the bottom of this page.
Who We Are
I want to give a big thank you to the Cabe and the Horace Cabe Foundations. Their generosity made this all possible. Having the backing of Charles and Anita Cabe really helped, too. I owe them a HUGE thank you! They did a wonderful thing here and helped many dogs in the process. Below is an outline of those improvements.
**** The Gurdon Shelter has undergone several projects that are making our shelter one of the best out there. We received a large grant in October 2009 which made these things possible. Improvements include a fenced in area for the dogs to run and play. We can let them out of their kennels and when they go outside they are already in the fenced in area! This is such a wonderful improvement and the dogs are loving it. Of all the new changes, this one is my favorite because of what it does for the dogs.
We lowered the ceiling and insulated above it. These two things should help with keeping the odor down and the temperature more tolerable. There is a timer on the exhaust fans now which will also help. We added new lighting throughout the shelter, too. Also, the exhaust fans have been re-worked and one was replaced. What a difference!!
We have added several new kennels, including a quarantine kennel which is larger than the others to help with litters of puppies. Our kennels in the shelter are built right with block walls between each kennel to keep the possibility of spreading disease to a minimum. In the last 2 years there have been 3 cases of puppies bringing the parvo virus into the shelter and we have never had it go beyond the kennel the affected dog was in and have never had another dog get sick by using the same kennel later. The new kennels are built the same way.
Other improvements include a new storage room inside, new security measures and a new office to facilitate adoptions. I am really excited about these new improvements and want to invite you to come on out here and check out the new digs...and maybe adopt a furry friend while you are here!!
The Gurdon Animal Shelter is a non-profit LOW kill municipal shelter located in Gurdon, Arkansas. By 'low kill' we mean this: If we could refuse dogs, like 'no-kill' shelters do, then this shelter would be a no-kill facility. Since this is a municipal shelter, we don't have that luxury.
As the Animal Control Officer of this town, I cannot tell someone calling me about stray dogs getting into their trash that I can't go and get the dog(s) due to having no room. I *MUST* go and get the dog(s) and MAKE room for it/them. The best scenario is that I have room due to people giving other dogs here loving forever homes. Something that those 'no-kill' shelters need to consider is that when they refuse to take unwanted dogs in, those dog owners usually bring them to a neighboring town, (like ours!), and turn them loose. Then I have to catch that dog and it increases the chances of other dogs being humanely euthanized....something which I detest having to see happen to healthy dogs. I do everything I can to ensure that we don't have to do that. Another thing to consider is this...how humane is it to keep a dog in a cage for years?? This is a common practice at some places, just so they can retain their 'no-kill' shelter status. It has been proven that dogs begin to go crazy from being caged for long periods of time. Also, dogs refused by those shelters are often taken out and killed by the person who is trying to get rid of it. How horrible is that?? Sometimes we humans can be so cruel.
The reality is this...the main difference between a no-kill shelter and a shelter such as ours is that when WE, or I, run out of room, WE, or I, have to make some tough choices that WE, or I, have to live with. Now...this being said, it is important that there are outlets like this one to help get as many of those dogs adopted out to loving homes. Adoption works...I can prove this by the stack of adoptions that have happened through this shelter in the last few years. Websites like this, (www.Petfinder.com), are a wonderful place to find your special and new best friend.
So, if you want a dog, please always consider adopting from a public shelter like ours...here you actually save lives by adopting. Speaking from my own experience as I had an 19 year old Spaniel mix, (who adopted ME at a shelter in Las Vegas some 17+ years ago!), shelter dogs are THE BEST dogs you can get. They appreciate that second chance that you give them and they love you that much more because of it. Please steer clear of puppy mills and instead adopt from a shelter. Buying from a puppy mill is the same as supporting the abuse of animals. I have several dogs myself...and every one of them was a shelter dog prior to my having them.
Adopting a Friend
Our adoptions procedures are very simple. You fill out a form at the shelter, and you leave with your dog. For dogs that are not vetted, or we have no cash outlay in them, there is a minimal adoption fee of $25.00. We do have 2 requirements that apply IF you live within the city limits of Gurdon, AR:
1, If not already done, you MUST get your new pet the required rabies vaccination within 14 days.
2, you SHOULD get your pet spayed or neutered within 60 days. We usually have info on free or cheap ways to do this.
If you live outside of the city limits those do not apply to you, however wherever you live may have their own ordinances requiring that you register, vaccinate, etc. Check the laws where you live. Rabies shots are a state requirement, so you MUST do that no matter where you live in Arkansas.
The dogs which have been vetted have a very nominal adoption fee which varies depending on what was done. When vetted they are generally tested for worms and heart worms, and get all their shots. If possible we spay/neuter. Please understand that this is a municipal shelter, and money is tight, so we can't vet every dog we get.
Again, there are many more dogs at our shelter besides the ones on here. As time permits, they will be added, however, you are always welcome to call and inquire as to what dogs we currently have.
Also, if you find a dog in our shelter that you want, and would like us to get the animal spayed or neutered for you, usually at a discount, then just ask. We just need the fee in advance and I will take care of getting the dog to the vet for the procedure and bringing it back to our shelter so you can pick it up, or if you live locally, I may be able to deliver the dog to you...just ask!
Come Visit Us!
City of Gurdon Animal Shelter The shelter is located on Fallin & Haynie Roads in Gurdon.
Call the number below to view our dogs or for directions.
Gurdon, AR 71743
Phone: 870-406-0273 Click here for a list of pets at this shelter
