The Observation Deck

Once again, the Lakewood Animal Shelter desperately needs foster parents. Currently, there is a mom with three kittens who need a temporary home. The shelter is very full, so we need to find a home soon to relieve space. If you are interested, please call me at (216) 221-7953, or call the shelter directly at (216) 529-5020.

If you are unable to foster at this time, but would still like to add your name to our fostering list for future needs, please let me know.

I think Lakewood needs a larger animal shelter. I got my dog Buddy there 4 years ago and it is a very small facility. What can we do about this. perhaps this way you could house more rescues.

Tabitha, if you'd like to get involved, please join CCLAS, the citizen's group that supports the shelter.

The website is www.cclas.org

A larger shelter would necessitate more hours from the animal warden or shelter workers ($$$$), but animals do much better when they are fostered in a home.

Temporary rescue homes are difficult to find, and then you have to be able to bring the animals to the shelter for visiting hours, etc. but human socialization is hugely important.

Animals in a shelter usually don't get any training, which may be the difference between sticking in a new home or being surrendered again.

But it's always to get involved with CCLAS.

If we weren't in the middle of painting the house, I would do it again in a minute.

It was one of the most enjoyable experiences we have had. The mother cat does most of the work, you just have to make sure she has what she needs - water, food, clean littler box and love. Then when the kittens start growning - they are tremendously fun to watch and pet. (i.e., socialize)

You can always call the shelter with any questions and they are happy to assist you.

For anyone that is on the fence about doing this - take the plunge - you won't regret it.

Catherine:

Thanks for all the good work you do for the shelter.

I'm not home much so I don't own a pet. It wouldn't be fair to the animal.

I was driving on the freeway last year and saw a dog tied to his dog house. The dog house was near the freeway, the people house was about one thousand feet further away. The dog was sitting facing the people house. I got the impression that when the puppy became a dog the dog was banished to the back yard left to sit and stare, waiting for attention.

I guess if I had a pet it would be a dog. I've heard that when Winston Churchill was asked what kind of pet he preferred he said he preferred a pet pig. Why a pig?

He answered, "A dog looks up to you. A cat looks down at you. But a pig looks at you like an equal."