Mercer County Animal Shelter adoption event continues along with Code Red

Feb. 23—By GREG JORDAN

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

PRINCETON — A pit bull named Brute wasn't living up to his name Thursday as he panted and greeted people who were thinking about adopting him.

Brute was among the homeless dogs and cats ready for adoption at the Mercer County Animal Shelter. Earlier this week, the shelter declared a Code Red because every cage and kennel was full.

Code Red is declared when euthanasia may have to be considered to make space.

Adoption fees for both dogs and cats have been waived until Saturday, Director Stacey Harman said. Adopted animals will still come with first shots, rabies shot and spay/neutering.

"We've been having a lot get adopted," Harman said Thursday afternoon. "Yesterday we adopted like nine out, but then we got 17 in right back. But it's going pretty well. And if it keeps going the way it is, then we are probably going to be in a safe zone; at least, that's what we're hoping for."

Harman said she would like to see at least 10 more animals get adopted so there will be enough spaces to handle emergency cases.

"Like if animal control would come in with a hoarding case, a dog bite, I have to have somewhere to put them," she said. "That is not something we can house in the hallway or house in an office. We have to make sure they have some spots."

Code Red was declared twice last year.

"I was getting a lot of negative feedback," Harman said about previous declarations. "They're saying I'm only calling Code Red because I want to get them adopted, but that's not true."

The late Kathy Tabor, founder and president of ALIVE animal services, asked Harman to let the public know when euthanasias have to be considered in order to make space.

"When I first started here, she and I were working together and she asked me to make her a promise to notify the public to give the dogs an extra chance because in the past, they would just go and do it and had no notice. And that's why I do the Code Red, because I always promised her I would do that," Harman said.

"That way that gives them an extra push to come and get some out, because otherwise a lot of shelters don't do that," she said. "They just start euthanizing. There's still no fee. It's still waived through Saturday and hopefully we get some more out before then.

Euthanasias would have to be considered if not enough animals are adopted by Saturday, she said.

One hope is there will not be a new influx of homeless pets.

"I think we will be OK as long as we don't get a lot back in," Harman said.

In a small room where pets and potential owners can get acquainted, Joey and Kayla Proffitt of Bluewell were getting to know Brute. They were thinking about adopting another dog when they heard about the Code Red and the waived adoption fees.

"He's young and he looks pretty calm," Joey Proffitt said. "He's huge."

— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com

Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com