Trick or Treat?  You decide.  We’re running a great adoption special right now through the end of October in an effort to find good homes for as many of our animals as possible.  It doesn’t get any better than “name your own price” to adopt a cat, dog or rabbit.

While the price is yours to make (all reasonable offers will be considered), our screening process is still in place.  We’re adhering to our same adoption standards as before – landlord checks, no surprise pets as gifts, the whole family has to meet the dog, and more – to help ensure a perfect match for every animal.

The sad thing is we’ve had some of these animals here for the whole summer – especially the adult cats – as the kittens have gotten all the attention.  So the hope is by using a monetary incentive, we can motivate people who might still be on the fence about bringing home a new pet or those who wouldn’t have necessarily come to a shelter.  Let me highlight a couple of special animals waiting here for you.

Sheldon is a Chihuahua mix – no surprise there. Right now, the majority of dogs in any California shelter seem to be Chihuahuas, followed closely by pit bulls.  But Sheldon is a Chi with personality.  Not nippy or scared like so many Chihuahuas– Sheldon is a confident, even bossy (to other dogs) little guy that loves everyone he meets.  He’ll love you even more if you will throw a tennis ball for him.  For a dog 7-8 years old, he has tons of spunk, energy and is loads of fun.  It’s just a shame he’s been overlooked for so long as he sits in his kennel.  And it’s taking a toll on him.  The sparkle is fading from his eyes as he waits day after day for someone to call his own.

The same is true of Coco, a beautiful 7-year-old Himalayan mix.  She was surrendered to the shelter when her owner’s health was failing.  She has a good profile; her owner said she plays fetch and is very sweet and loving .  She lived in a quiet, single-person household her whole life and would probably do best in another quiet situation.  She’s certainly not thrilled to be here in a cage and is starting to get grumpy (that’s how cats show their stress), so it would take a special person to see her potential and give her a chance.  Is that you?

Another unhappy kitty here is Bandit.  He’s has total love for people but really doesn’t like others of his kind.  That’s hard for a cat in a shelter full of cats.  Fortunately, we have the space right now to give him a room of his own. But that could change at any time, and Bandit would lose his adoption opportunity.  He’s a 2-year-old long hair tabby – sort of Main Coon’ish and quite a handsome guy.  All he needs is a home where he could be the solo ruler – (human servants required, of course).  Does your castle have a vacancy?

Check out these and some of our other wonderful animals for adoption at www.rpanimalshelter.org or come visit in person during our open hours: Wed 1-6:30 p.m.; Thursday, Friday, Saturday 1-5:30 p.m.; and Sunday 1-4:30 p.m..  We have a great deal for you with our “name your own price” adoption special going on through the month of October.

Upcoming Events: 
Animal Talk – adult education workshops offered once a month on a variety of topics.  Next one is “Cat Handling” with Laura Hazard on Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 6:30-8 p.m. Registration is $10. Stop by the RP Animal Shelter to sign up.  For a full schedule go to: rpanimalshelter.org.

Mickey Zeldes is the supervisor at the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter. She can be contacted at mzeldes@rpcity.org.