Naperville shelter reduces cost of adopting dog to $100

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Updated: November 16, 2011 1:37AM

The weather has been stormy and steamy. Our Animals and Us Summer Camp is in full swing. We just wrapped up our Putts for Pets golf outing, and sadly, our adult dog adoptions are down.

Even though the Naperville Area Humane Society never imposes time limits on any of our animals, the more we can adopt out, the more lives we can save. Once an animal goes home, the cage space opens for the next animal on our waiting list or the next animal to be transferred in from animal control and other agencies faced with high euthanasia rates.

It is a common misconception that animals end up in shelters because they have been abused or done something wrong. In fact, the majority of animals are surrendered to shelters because of circumstances beyond their control, not because of anything they have done. Situations like loss of job, divorce, moving, allergies or lack of time are among the most common reasons why pets lose their homes.

In June we celebrated Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month, and 65 cats and kittens went home! This month we are focusing on our adult dogs, who on average, are staying longer than usual waiting for their special adoption day to arrive.

If you are considering adding a canine to your family, think of all the joy dogs can bring to your life. They make us laugh, smile and give us unconditional love. They accept us for who we are, not what we look like or how much money we make. Dogs are the best listeners, ready to give you their undivided attention from the moment you arrive home! They motivate us to explore the world and appreciate all the little things along the way. Without worries of the future or regrets of the past, they live in the moment. Our loneliness disappears as their devotion and loyalty is unmatched in the animal kingdom. Every day the dogs in our shelter inspire us. They manage to wag their tails and greet us with a renewed sense of hope that today just might be their lucky adoption day!

As Roger Caras so famously said, “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”

If you are thinking about adding a new canine family member into your life, please consider adopting from the Naperville Area Humane Society. Our Dog Days of Summer adoption promotion begins Thursday. The adoption fee for adult dogs six months and older is reduced to $100. This fee includes spay or neuter surgery, all necessary vaccinations, collar, ID tag and microchip. All our dogs and cats photos and profiles can be viewed on our website at www.NapervilleAreaHumaneSociety.org. Will this be the summer to make your life whole?

Angie Wood is executive director of the Naperville Area Humane Society. Contact her at 630-420-8989.