By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Despite a large number of pets being taken in last year, the St. Joseph Animal Shelter also saw a large number of pets get adopted as well.
Friends of the Animal Shelters Melanie Barnes says a large number of adoptions came thanks to the puppies for parole program.
Barnes says the program helps out the shelter tremendously with space.
"It frees up kennels for other pets that end up coming through the shelter, like I said they live with the inmates 24/7, there are two inmates assigned to every dog so that way they can take turns there's a primary and then a backup," Barnes tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "And while they're there they have goals; they go through goals to try and train the puppies for canine good citizenship."
Puppies for Parole started in 2010 and has helped prepare over 6,000 dogs for adoption.
Barnes says the program is helpful in getting more dogs adopted because many adopters are drawn to those that have been through the program
"Maybe there's adopters who don't want a puppy or a very rambunctious dog or they want to know more about that dog before they adopt them," Barnes explains. "So, this is a great way
Barnes says the program was also helpful in getting more pets adopted this past year, which helped reduce the number of pets in kennels that were already overcrowded
St. Joseph's prison is one of those that participates in the program which helps teach dogs 10 basic skills that they should know.
Barnes says the program helping dogs learn those skills is a big help to the animal shelter
"Because the dogs then become more adoptable, they're behaved, they're crate trained, they're potty trained, and the inmates because they live with them, they know so much more about their bios," Barnes says. "And so, they can build a nice bio on, you know, what does Fluffy like to do and maybe this dog loves to play fetch."
Barnes says not only does it help with the adoption rate of dogs, but it also helps provide inmates that help with a positive experience and a purpose of taking care of the pets.