By Jessica Dillon
The SPCA of Martinsville-Henry County is participating in the Bissell adoption event during May to reduce adoption costs and help clear crowded shelters.
The shelter is currently in the middle of kitten season, with adoptable cats arriving quickly while many large dogs have been waiting months for homes.
Executive Director Catherine Gupton hopes the event will help speed up adoptions.
“Adoptions are a crawl, especially for a large dog. It’s extremely difficult to get an adoption for them. Cats and kittens have been better adoption-wise,” Gupton said.
“We are definitely full of dogs and we are full of cats. There are currently 104 animals in care right now,” she added.
Gupton said several animals at the shelter are in need of homes, including an energetic dog named Mr. Squash.
“His name is Mr. Squash. He’s a little bit of a diva, he’s also a cuddle bug and full of energy,” Gupton said.
She said Mr. Squash enjoys taking pictures and dressing up.
“If you want a dog that will be singing along next to you while doing karaoke, he’s also going to be the one that curls up on the couch after you,” she said.
Mr. Squash is looking for a home without small animals.
“He has no problem with the staff putting him in clothes. He does not care at all,” Gupton said. “He always has this giant grin.”
Mr. Squash arrived at the shelter in late September, was adopted for six days, and returned after Christmas.
Gupton also highlighted Dipper, a nearly 2-year old Labrador mix that has been at the shelter since Dec. 26.
“We have Dipper, who is a lab mix just shy of 2 years old. He loves to go on doggy day out trips, he enjoys being around people, he enjoys being outside, he does well with other dogs,” she said.
A 1-year-old cat named Uno has also been waiting for a permanent home since August.
“She’s on foster because she’s been doing better out of foster. She gets an easily upset stomach so she has to be on sensitive diet food,” Gupton said.
Uno is also on a probiotic supplement and has had one eye removed.
The shelter recently received nine kittens from Henry County and expects more litters soon.
“We just got nine kittens from Henry County yesterday,” Gupton said.
Many kittens are still too young to be listed online.
“We are fully into kitten season. I think we have already got a good six or seven litters on our wait list who have been aging into an appropriate age to come in,” she said.
The shelter is also seeking donations of turkey and chicken baby food, cat litter, canned kitten chow and Purina dry kitten chow.
The adoption special runs May 1-15. Dogs older than 4 months are available for $40, while cats are $10.
Gupton encouraged anyone looking for companionship to apply.
“Anyone who is looking for a friend or companion,” she said.
Adoptions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis with an approved application.
The shelter is located at 132 Joseph Martin Highway in Martinsville and can be reached at (276) 638-7297.
