THURSDAY, August 27, 2026|
Photo – Versace, Pepe, and Penelope are available for adoption – Courtesy Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter
Pets at the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter are still seeking permanent homes.
The majority of Carbon County’s stray and feral cats and dogs are taken to the Rochelle Animal Shelter in Rawlins. Currently, the facility is home to three cats and 13 dogs, seven of which are enrolled in the Cage to Save program, which pairs shelter dogs with inmates at the Wyoming State Penitentiary. Prisoners spend nine weeks training the animals in essential manners and basic obedience.
Every month, Toga Radio teams up with the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter to highlight pets waiting for adoption. This month, Rawlins Police Lieutenant Daria Hooper, who oversees the city’s animal shelter, asked to feature Versace, an adult heeler mix who graduated from the Cage to Save program. Lieutenant Hooper said Versace is very friendly, though not with other dogs.
Versace was featured in a previous Toga Radio animal shelter spotlight. Lieutenant Hooper said Versace is still energetic despite being an adult dog and urged someone to adopt him.
Lieutenant Hooper also chose to highlight Pepe and Penelope, two adult cats who, like most cats, can be skittish until they get comfortable with someone.
Pepe and Penelope do not have to be adopted together.
Lieutenant Hooper offered good news about last month’s featured animals, Buddy, the white four‑year‑old Shepherd-Husky mix, and Julius, the young adult orange cat.
Lieutenant Hooper declined to publicly discuss those big plans for now but said she will announce the details once everything is finalized.
The Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter is seeking donations of used blankets and pet treats. Hooper said financial support is also needed to cover unexpected medical costs, such as a recent surgery to correct a dog’s prolapsed tear gland, commonly called an eye cherry.
Rawlins Animal Control Officers Leah Ketner and Lisa Eriksson assist Lieutenant Hooper at the Rochelle Animal Shelter. Because the three officers split their time between patrolling the city and managing the facility, Lieutenant Hooper said volunteers are always welcome to help care for the animals. She said that work can satisfy court‑ordered community service requirements, but each case must be handled individually, and participants will be expected to put in genuine effort.
Lieutenant Hooper added that any community service work must be scheduled around the officers’ availability.
To meet an animal, volunteer, or drop off donations, visit the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter at 2711 East Murray Street Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., or call 328‑4534 to schedule an appointment. All adoptable animals are posted on the shelter’s Facebook page and on Petfinder.com. Adoption fees are $35 for cats and $50 for dogs.
