ST. GEORGE – Izzy, a large black and white cat, and his sister are the newest residents of the Washington County Animal Shelter.
Alerted to the cat’s presence by a St. George News reader, Izzy is described as a warm and friendly sweetheart of a feline.
Izzy and his sister were dropped off at the local animal shelter following the death of their owner.
According to Animal Control Supervisor David Vane, the two cats are a part of an estimated weekly population of 25-30 cats. That numbers are roughly the same for the shelter’s dog population.
Vane also said that the turnover rate for adoptions and lost animal claims versus euthanasia is near 80 percent.
Adoption fees for cats are $70. Fees for dogs vary. Male dogs are $100 and females are $105. Those fees include having the animals spayed and neutered. The adoption fee drops to $20 if the animal has already undergone these procedures.
“It’s a bargain price,” Vane said
Vane encourages people to adopt from local shelters over pet stores because the fees are cheaper and the animals are potentially healthier, citing the occasional health concerns that arise in purebred dogs and cats.
For anyone who is interested in adopting a pet, Vane said that the individual must be willing to accept everything that comes with that pet, from licensing requirements to helping it maintain a proper diet.
“It all falls back to responsible pet ownership,” he said.
The Washington Animal Shelter is located at 605 East Skyline Drive in St. George, and can be reached at (435)627-4350 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday. More information can be found at the shelter’s website: http://www.sgcity.org/police/sganimalcontrol.php
Copyright 2011 St. George News. This material may not be published or rewritten without written consent.