OCTOBER 30, 2024|
Photo – Greta (left) and Kiera (right) – Courtesy Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter
As temperatures drop across the region, the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter is asking residents to bring their animals indoors.
With warm weather retreating and cooler, wetter weather approaching, Rawlins Police Lieutenant Daria Hooper encouraged residents to ensure their outdoor animals have access to a properly insulated shelter.
The colder weather can lead to an increase in animal adoptions as people remain indoors more. However, Lt. Hooper explained that the lower temperatures present additional challenges for animal shelter staff.
The Rawlins animal shelter is nearly at half capacity. Animal Control Officer Leah Ketner spotlighted two animals looking for their forever homes. The first is Greta, an older German Shepard. Officer Ketner mentioned that Greta gets along with cats and small children, but not dogs, and may need additional potty training.
Greta’s adoption fee has already been paid by an anonymous donor.
Officer Ketner is also looking for someone to adopt Kiera, an older cat whose owner recently died. The animal control officer said Kiera needs a quiet loving home to spend the rest of her days.
Last spring, the Rawlins animal shelter and Wyoming State Penitentiary created the Cage to Save Program, where inmates of the state prison spend nine weeks training shelter dogs in basic obedience. Lt. Hooper said the training program significantly increases the animals’ adoption rates. The police officer encouraged people to visit the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter Facebook page to monitor the dogs’ progress.
Nine dogs are currently participating in the Cage to Save Program. Three dogs, Loki, Scout, and Buckethead have recently completed their training and are ready for adoption. Buckethead was given his unusual name by retired Animal Control Officer Roberto Valdes, who said the dog has a large head.
For more information about adopting or surrendering an animal, call the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter at 328-4534 Monday through Friday between the hours of 3:00 and 5:00pm. Adoption fees are $25 for cats and $40 for dogs.
