Puppy influx hits animal shelter

January 24, 2013, 9:00 pm by Alexandria Randolph

The Christ-Yoder Animal Shelter and Adoption Center had 25 new puppies come through its doors in the past week, all who need good homes or at least temporary foster homes.

"Puppy season came early!” said shelter Manager Sandy Matteson. "(This large volume of puppies) happens all the time. They come from all over Llano and Burnet County.”

Although housing several litters at once is not uncommon for the shelters, they can only hold so many dogs.

"We can’t hold a lot,” Matteson said. "We need to find these guys good homes.”

The shelter is currently housing six Chihuahua-Terrier mixes, six Cocker Spaniel-Basset Hound mixes, four Labrador-Chow mixes and several others of various breeds.

The shelter has a separate holding room for puppies so that they can have a longer holding period before euthanasia. The shelter can house up to 150 dogs and although there is no deadline for euthanasia, the shelter usually only houses puppies until they are six months old.

"Usually we can adopt them out or send them to rescues by then,” Matteson said.

If you are interested in fostering or adopting a puppy, contact Christ-Yoder at 512.793.5463 or at cyanimalshelter@281.com.

The shelter is also hosting a low cost rabies shot clinic on Saturday, Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon. The clinic is taking place at the shelter located at 9150 RR 1431 in Buchanan Dam. Rabies vaccinations will be offered for $8 by veterinarian Jim Jenkins of the Cedar Hill Veterinary Clinic. Microchipping will be offered for $19 and a nail trim for $5 by Christ-Yoder volunteers. For more information about the rabies immunizations, call the veterinary clinic at 325.247.5845. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.