FEATURED PETS

ADOPTION INFORMATION

Animals in adoption are available immediately. If you see an animal you want to adopt, the adoption should be processed at the shelter immediately. All animals need IMMEDIATE adoption. Adoptions must be done IN PERSON and are on a "first come, first served" basis.

CLICK TO VIEW PETS AT THE SHELTER!

Adoption fee is $70.00 for cats and $75.00 for dogs. This fee includes the micochipping of every dog and cat adopted. Cash or check ONLY - NO credit cards. The fee includes heartworm test, spay/neuter, and rabies, parvo, and distemper shots for dogs and spay/neuter, vaccinations, and FeLV and FIV testing for cats. Animals must be spay/neutered before leaving the shelter this usually takes 2 or 3 days.

Strays are held 3 working days to give the owner the opportunity to claim them. Animals held in the stray areas have been picked up or brought to the shelter as stray animals. These animals may or may not be available for adoption. The adoptability of the animal depends on health and temperament. If you are interested in a pet from lost/stray kennel area, you can sign up for a chance to adopt that animal in the sign-up book. This book is found in the adoption clerk's office at the shelter. Simply ask to put your name down for that animal. If you are first on the list and can be at the center at the time they open for visiting on the release date for that animal you will be considered for that adoption.

EVENTS

Click to see upcoming adoption events!

NEWS

CLICK TO VIEW WEB CAMS INSIDE THE ANIMAL SHELTER!

The Kuranda dog bed drive was a very successful effort by the volunteers. We are thrilled that Kuranda has just announced their new cat beds! We have been looking to increase the comfort levels for the cats and think a comfortable bed is just the start. We encourage you to donate one today! (Click on the image below)

FURRY FRIENDS NEWSLETTERS:

January/February 2009

The Animal Shelter Advisory Board meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, 10 am at City Hall, 2nd Floor conference room. They are open to the public.

MEETING MINUTES:

April- no meeting

MAS VOLUNTEER PHOTO GALLERY

LOST PETS

Fewer than 5% of all dogs and cats brought to Memphis Animal Services’ Animal Center have pet identification. This makes returning them to their owners almost impossible. A secure collar and identification tags along with micro-chip identification are the best protection you and your pet have against a long and painful separation. This is important even if your pet primarily lives inside.

The minute you realize your pet is missing, start looking. The sooner you start, the better your chances of success.

An important step in your search for a lost pet is to visit Memphis Animal Services’ Animal Center and other area shelters. It is quite possible that your pet was picked up running loose or was turned into a shelter by someone who found it by the road. Unless your pet was wearing a pet license or up-to-date micro-chip identification, there is no way of making a positive identification. Many animals look alike, and it is impossible for MAS personnel to know from your description whether or not they are holding your pet. Therefore, it is vital that you visit the shelter daily to look for yourself. Many pets turn up weeks or even months after they disappear, so keep checking your local shelter regularly.

Overcrowding has forced MAS to impose a 72 hour minimum holding period before the animal becomes property of the City of Memphis. At the end of this time period, decisions must be made - will this animal be placed for adoption or will it have to be humanely euthanized? They strive to hold animals for as long as possible by placing them for adoption. However, because of public safety or in the best interest of the animal they are often humanely euthanized.

Fill out a form in the lost/found binder at the Shelter with information about your missing pet and include a picture if possible. Also, post your pet's information on these websites:

Memphis Humane Society

Commercial Appeal

Petfinder

Craigslist

Fido Finder

STARTLING STATISTICS

Adopt Your Next Pet:

Each year in this country, 8 to 10 million lost & unwanted dogs & cats enter animal shelters. They have about a 50% chance of getting out alive: 4 to 6 million of them will be euthanized - around a half million a month nationwide, 575 each hour, one every six & a half seconds.

25% of dogs that enter local shelters are purebred.

Make sure your pet has a secure collar with an Identification tag and Micro-chip Your Pets:

• Tragically over 2,500 dogs go missing every week and over 3,200 cats!

• Less than 2% of cats and only 16% of dogs are returned to their owners. Most of these were identified with tags, tattoos or microchips.

• Out of every 100 dogs in shelters only 17 are ever reunited with their owners.

• 1 out of 3 pets will get lost in their lifetime.

• 95% of lost pets that don’t have PET I.D. never get home again.

• 95% of lost pets that do have Pet I.D. are rescued and returned to their homes.

Have your pet Spayed/Neutered:

• Average # of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3

• Average # of kittens in a feline litter: 4-6

• 2 cats can create up to 11,801 family members in only 5 years.

• Average # of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2

• Average # of puppies in a canine litter: 6-10

• 2 dogs can create up to 12,288 family members in only 5 years.

• Each day 10,000 humans are born in the U.S. Each day 70,000 puppies & kittens are born. As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all the animals.

Low-Cost Spay/Neuter:

Mid-South Spay & Neuter Services

PetVax

Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County- Participating Veterinary Clinics

MS "No Litterings" Spay Clinics: Tupelo: 662-871-2420 / Byhalia: 662-252-6196

VOLUNTEER

There's a place in your community where the hungry are fed, the homeless are sheltered, & the abandoned are comforted. And you can be a part of it! It's the Memphis Animal Shelter, where care is provided for your area's homeless animals. Assisting at adoption events & witnessing an animal going home with their new family always brings a smile to your face. Taking a dog on a walk at the Shelter & being thanked with licks & a wagging tail reassures you that your time is well spent. Volunteering at the Shelter can be hard at times but you will definitely see the results of your efforts. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Memphis Animal Services, please call for more information or return a completed application by fax or email to:

(901) 362-6876 fax

mingostar@aol.com

We look forward to having you join our “family.”

Volunteer Application

FOSTER

If you love animals, why not donate your time by fostering a dog? Volunteers care for sick and immature animals in their homes until ready for adoption. Animals may be in foster care for a few weeks or a few months, depending on the need. While there is no payment for fostering a dog or cat, the joy of nurturing a formerly unwanted pet into a lovable and happy dog or cat is priceless.

To learn more about the foster care program, and to find out more information about foster care volunteer orientations, call Stacy Anderson at 901-362-5310.

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