San Marcos, TX, March 29, 2007 – San Marcos Councilman Daniel Guerrero has taken public service to a whole new level. He not only has the job of representing his city constituents, but now he and his wife Estibaliz, can claim to have saved a life; that of their new shelter dog, Mary Jane.

The couple wanted to add a dog to their family for a long time, and it was only natural that they went to the San Marcos Animal Shelter to begin the search for their new companion. As part of his work as a city councilman, Daniel helps to approve the animal shelter’s budget, as well as having authorized the funds for the upcoming expansion of the shelter to accommodate the many additional animals from Hays County Animal Control. But who knew that their original scouting trip would uncover the perfect canine.

Neither had a particular image of a dog in mind, but when they found Mary Jane, she sat quietly as if expecting them all along. In fact, when taking her out of the kennel, Daniel hoped she would act up so he could find a reason to reject her. However Mary Jane was a perfect lady; and their initial introduction proved to be love at first sight.

What may come as a surprise is that Mary Jane is not a puppy. She is actually about seven years old, is blind in her right eye due to juvenile cataracts, and has an undetermined genealogy (she may be part cairn terrier, part poodle, or any number of other breeds, but she’s definitely all cute). Bert Stratemann, Animal Services Manager at the Shelter, states that “We see those dogs a lot and people don’t want to adopt them because of their age. They are still good animals, even though they may not have as long a lifespan.” Every day the shelter has many more dogs and cats similar to her, a little older and perhaps requiring a little extra TLC, who are in desperate need of loving homes. But with maturity comes benefits, and Mary Jane entered the Guerrero family already housetrained, quiet, well behaved, good with kids, and full of kisses.

Shelter staff and volunteers were extremely helpful and knew about all of the dogs, even those who were recently acquired. The adoption procedure was easy and took Daniel and Estibaliz less than an hour to complete. The most difficult part of the process was waiting from Saturday until Monday to pick her up, so that Mary Jane could receive a full checkup and clean bill of health from a veterinarian. However, that extra time allowed the Guerrero family to go on a two-day shopping spree in anticipation of their new arrival.

Now Mary Jane enjoys the good life! Living at the pet-friendly Palazzo Apartments, she has 16 acres to walk and meet many new canine friends. “All she wants is love, and she gets a lot of that” says Estibaliz. For someone interested in quality of life issues of the city, Councilman Guerrero now knows first-hand the joy an animal can bring to a family, the satisfaction felt in saving a homeless pet, and the loving benefits of a dog’s happiness and appreciation. As Daniel said, “she fit perfectly in our lives” and “has really been a big blessing.” The whole family, including Mary Jane, plans to attend the upcoming Mutt Strutt (benefiting the San Marcos Animal Shelter) at the River Ridge Business Park in San Marcos on Saturday, April 21. Daniel has also been a supporter of PET FEST, which raises funds and awareness for spaying and neutering of companion animals, and also plans to be present at this year’s celebration on Saturday, September 29 at San Marcos Plaza Park.

The transition into their home has been so easy; Daniel and Estibaliz can’t remember not having her in their lives. In fact, Many Jane has done such a remarkable job as an ambassador for shelter animals, the young couple plans on looking for another dog in the next few months. There’s no doubt in their minds that they will return once again to the San Marcos Animal Shelter to find their next perfect companion. The lucky couple recommends others in the community to do the same and Councilman Guerrero says, “I certainly encourage any one seeking a four-legged friend to visit our animal shelter, it could change your life by saving another life.”

Our Policies Have Changed!!!

The adoption policies have changed and are effective as of February 1, 2008. The adoption requirements are as follows:
-If you rent, you are required to provide a letter from your landlord giving permission to have the adopted pet at the property. This does NOT include a rental agreement. It must be on letterhead with all of the appropriate contact information.
-If you own your home, then we need to see proof of home ownership, such as a mortgage statement, tax statement, or homeowner's insurance statement.
-If you choose to adopt a dog that will mature at a weight of over 25 pounds, you must provide proof that you have and maintain a fenced in yard. This includes a traditional picture or a picture printed off a computer.

PLEASE REMEMBER: ANIMAL ADOPTIONS ARE FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE.
If you are interested in an animal, please be aware that somebody else may be as well. The animal shelter opens at 11:30 Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Adoption fees and holds are non-refundable.

The fee to adopt is now $90 for either a dog or a cat.
Included in the dog adoption fee is:
-Heartworm test
-Microchip implant & registration
-Standard physical exam
-Spay / Neuter
-Rabies vaccination
-Deworming for roundworms and hookworms

Included in the cat adoption fee is:
-Test for feline leukemia and AIDS (FeLV/FIV)
-Microchip implant & registration
-Standard physical exam
-Spay / Neuter
-Rabies vaccination
-Deworming for roundworms and hookworms

A $20.00 fee is required to place an animal on hold and can only be done in person. This will go toward the regular adoption fee. The hold is only good for 24 hours except on Saturdays, and then it is good until 5:30 the following Monday afternoon. If , for any reason, the animal is not adopted within the 24 hours, the money will become a donation and the animal will become available for adoption again.
Mutt Strutt has a Guardian Angel program that allows people to make a minimum of a $50 donation to sponsor an animal. This sponsorship helps covers the adoption fee for those that qualify. As a sponsor, your name or your pet's name is put on the adoption kennel showing you are sponsoring the animal. If you don't have a specific animal you would like to be a Guardian Angel for then it will go on a special needs dog or one that has been at the shelter for awhile. For more information please contact Donna (512) 353-4745 or visit their website Muttstrutt.org.

Spay Day USA in San Marcos

The San Marcos Animal Shelter, in collaboration with PALS (Pet Prevent a Litter) and Mutt Strutt, is sponsoring a free spay/neuter clinic for the San Marcos community on February 27, 2008 in honor of Spay Day USA. EmanciPET will be performing the surgeries and will include a MASH unit so that two surgical venues can be utilized simulaneously.

San Marcos Animal Shelter
at
PET FEST 2006

The City of San Marcos Animal Shelter attended the 2006 PET FEST. It was a great time for everyone who attended and the weather was perfect. We got to meet a lot of folks and the pups enjoyed the fun field trip.

The Rabies and Pet License Clinic, sponsored by the City of San Marcos Animal Shelter, is quite a success. Many vaccinations are given and some vouchers for free spays/neuters are distributed to the public.

REMINDER -- PLEASE HAVE YOUR PET VACCINATED ANNUALLY AND COMPLY WITH CITY AND COUNTY LICENSING ORDINANCES.

The City of San Marcos Animal Services now has a website. The address is http://www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us/departments/health/Animal_Services.htm?menu=DP11. The San Marcos Animal Shelter Petfinder site maintains the only pet list now.

The San Marcos Animal Shelter is a city department and is a part of animal services division in the city of San Marcos. To make a tax-deductible donation call 512-805-2650. Or send to: The City of San Marcos Animal Shelter, 630 E. Hopkins, San Marcos, TX 78666.

Hours to View and Adopt:
The San Marcos Animal Shelter animal viewing and adoption hours are Monday and Friday 11:30 am - 5:30 pm. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 11:30 am - 4:30 pm. We are closed on Sunday. We are located on River Road, 1 mile South of Highway 80 and North of the old shelter location. For more information, call the Shelter at 512-805-2650.

Volunteering:
Everything that you would do for your pets at home can be done for homeless animals at the shelter. If you are interested in volunteering, come to our brand new volunteer orientation. For dates and times, please call the animal shelter at (512) 805-2650. It is required that you attend an orientation before you can be a volunteer. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent at all times. Volunteers can help by walking dogs, bathing the animals, interacting with puppies and kittens to help socialize and train them -- use your imagination. Call (512) 805-2650 for details or stop by the shelter to see what needs to be done!

Donations:
Donations of cash, food, equipment, and supplies are always welcome. The shelter uses everything you would use to take care of your own pet: dry food, collars, leashes, shampoo, towels, laundry soap, brushes, chew toys, travel carriers, etc. Call (512) 805-2650 to ask about donating supplies and equipment directly to the shelter. You can also make donations to the animal shelter itself at: City of San Marcos Animal Shelter, 750 River Rd, San Marcos, TX 78666.

Directions
From IH 35 take exit 205 to Highway 80 East. Continue on Highway 80 to River Road. Turn right at River Road (there will be a white & blue sign for the Animal Shelter) and take River Road until you come to the animal shelter (on your left). The physical address for the animal shelter is 750 River Road. Click here for a map to the shelter.

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