craigdailypress.com

Shy doesn't command attention, doesn't get you noticed.

So it's best to make noise, a lot of noise. It's best to jump up and down, wag a tail, stick the tongue out.

The dogs at the Craig Animal Shelter know this.

As visitors enter the room, an explosion of whines, barks and squeals echo throughout the metal and concrete corridor.

The animals in the kennels want a home.

And they want you to know it. They want you to pick them.

Year-end report

In the shelter's 2006 year-end numbers report, there is a mix of positives and negatives.

Last year, 767 dogs and cats were admitted to the shelter, a 2-percent decrease from 2005.

About a quarter of that total, 187 animals, were deemed too temperamental or too sick for permanent placement. They were euthanized. This figure represents a 103 percent increase from the 92 euthanizations in 2005.

Craig community service officer Kathie Johnson, who oversees the animal shelter, said part of the increase stems from an influx of cats admitted to the shelter from one house. Thirty-four cats were taken from the home, which has since been destroyed, and were put to sleep because they were sick or untamed, she said.

But, a good percentage of animals admitted, 76 percent, were released to their owners (237), adopted (177) or transferred to another facility for placement (166).

Overall, the animal shelter took 2,414 animal complaints in 2006, close to the same number as 2005.

Johnson said the shelter only puts down animals as a last resort. The euthanization numbers could decrease in the future as the Craig shelter builds partnerships with other shelters across the state.

The animals could then be transferred to another shelter, giving them another chance to come across a new owner.

"Then we don't have to put them to sleep, which is nice," she said.

Man's best friend

There's a wide-range of wayward, discarded or unwanted dogs and cats at the shelter. On any given day, the number could be as high as 40; on Monday morning it was nine -- including six dogs.

For most, the shelter will be a temporary home, a hiccup destination on the road to someplace else.

The animals are as diverse as the categories they represent.

There's Shotgun, a stray pit bull mix, his given name chosen because of the bullet hole found in his neck. Shotgun's wound is healing; Johnson said he'll most likely find a home.

There's Mandy, a red heeler, a "nice dog that's good with kids," Johnson said. Mandy will probably find a home, she said.

Down the way there's Joy, a hyperactive black lab, who's not well suited to be around children, but is a kind dog and will probably also find permanent digs, Johnson said.

Then there's Sissy, a pit bull mix, and Hemi, a Boston boxer at the end of the hall.

One of them, Sissy or Hemi, is going home today. The other's future is less secure.

Going home

Lost in the wild kingdom of dogs housed at the shelter is Sox, a nine-week old black lab mix.

She is the pipsqueak of the bunch, a stray found roaming around a local apartment complex.

Blake Abdella, the new Craig animal control and code enforcement officer, said Sox is ready to be taken home.

"She will be available for adoption on (Wednesday)," Abdella said. The cuddly, bug-eyed Sox probably won't have much trouble finding a decent home, Abdella and Johnson said.

Sissy, on the other hand, is proving more problematic. The dog can't be around other dogs and isn't good around kids, a difficult combination. Still, the shelter isn't giving up on Sissy.

Johnson said they'd rather take the time to find her a good home instead of choosing the less time-consuming alternative.

"I'm not sure what we're going to do, but we're looking," she said.

Hemi isn't so bad off. Fortune smiled on her Monday when her owners came to retrieve her.

So far, 23 animals from the Craig shelter have been adopted this year. Johnson said she's hoping more people come to the shelter and leave with a pet in the coming months.

Animals at the Craig Animal Shelter, located at 2430 E. Victory Way, can be adopted for $95. The price total includes tags, vaccinations and spade/neutering.

The animal shelter can be reached at 824-5964.