While some dogs at the Lac La Biche Regional Humane Society are adopted right away, others – like Pepper and Renfield – have been waiting some time find their furever home.
According to Jewels Hampshire, the operations manager at the Lac La Biche animal shelter, Pepper, a German Shephard/Rottweiler/Collie mix, and Renfield, a Pit Bull mix, have been on the adoption list for a year. with most of that time spent in foster care.
Pepper, Hampshire stated, came in at just three days old in a box with her eight siblings. Renfield was rescued with his nine siblings at two weeks old.
While the two have been waiting for a permanent home, they have been regular foster pets at several of the humane society’s foster homes.
So why have these two been at the shelter for so long? Hampshire said certain breeds can be a factor, along with large litters of puppies that arrive at the shelter. Because there are so many to pick from, she said, some of these puppies do get left behind. Oftentimes, it’s simply the luck of the draw.
Behaviour can also sometimes be an obstacle to getting dogs adopted but this isn’t true in the case of Pepper and Renfield.
“They both have good behaviour…so it’s not behavioural issues,” she said, calling them sweet dogs with pleasant dispositions that are great with people and other animals.
Snuggle bug
“Renfield is a total sweetie… a snuggle bug…loves people…loves all animals,” she said. “Pepper’s more of a spicy one…she has a little attitude, but still very friendly to children …and other animals.”
Unfortunately, every week they stay at the shelter, their age becomes more and more of a factor, says Hampshire. Even though they are a little over a year old, the dogs are well beyond the puppy stage, and while people are eager to adopt puppies, many are hesitant to take larger, older dogs.
The challenge has created a new marketing idea at the shelter - Video updates.
In a bid to get more older dogs like Pepper and Renfield adopted into loving homes, Hampshire said, the humane society makes videos for the public to see, as well as feature posts on social media in which doggie foster parents write positive comments about the four-legged friends in their care.
Those foster families, said Hampshire are not only great for Pepper and Renfield, but for any critter at the shelter – especially in recent months where the little building has been at full capacity.
“The Lac La Biche Regional Humane Society relies heavily on local families and individuals who graciously house these animals while they wait for their turn to be adopted,” she said, adding that outside factors, like the economy, are also playing a part.
Hampshire said an increased cost of living has contributed to many folks not being able to look after their pets properly and they are either surrendering or dumping them.
Whatever the reasons, Pepper and Renfield have now been at the shelter for longer than any other animal in recent years. Shelter staff are now mounting their latest campaign to find the two dogs a good home. The two are getting new photos for a new poster and social media campaign.
“We are going to do some new posters and seeing what kind of take we get,” Hampshire said, adding that she was happy to see the dogs in the local newspaper as well.
