Support Animals in Need at the Ames Animal Shelter

                                                              

Come visit the Ames Animal Shelter located on Billy Sunday Road on South Duff to support animals in need of homes. They are ready for visitors during the weekdays and during the afternoon on the weekends. Everyone at the shelter is friendly and kind, with a passion for animals. The Ames Animal Shelter attracts animal lovers of all kinds both visitors and employees.

The Ames Animal Shelter building is small, a tan building with an equally small parking lot. There is a statue of a dog and cat next to a big sign which says Ames Animal Shelter right outside the building. When you first come inside the Ames Animal Shelter you see the front desk. It has two computers near the front and one near the back behind a sliding door. A kind woman asks, “How may I help you?”. I asked for a tour, and she excitedly shows me around. The shelter is small, but the shelter makes do with the space it has. “How many animals do you have?” “We have about four dogs, twenty cats, four guinea pigs, and two parakeets.”. They have two cat socialization rooms and one room with cats in kennels. Every kennel has a cat, and I hear them meowing for attention when we walk by. Soothing music is played near the kennels and inside the cat room. One kennel gets a lot of attention from visitors, the kennel with five kittens. Of course, everyone wants to pet a kitten. When I ask about them, she tells me that they are six weeks old. I notice a few Guinea pigs in the hall as we approach the cat kennels. All cat kennels are completely full, and my tour guide explains that the reason for this is due to a hoarding case last fall. Fortunately, many of the cats have been adopted; they are no longer at full capacity. It is very quiet at the shelter with occasional calls near the front desk. After she shows me the cats, we look at the dogs. There are only a few dogs, mostly medium to large, in the shelter, all barking loudly, excited to see us. Near the dog kennels is a door to an outdoor space for the dogs to play. She explains that volunteers often take the dogs outdoors to socialize and exercise the dogs. “It’s not fun in the winter, but we make do.” She said. Every animal has a document attached to their kennel explaining the care needed and the temperament of the animal, information which is useful to both potential adopters and caretakers at the shelter. “Many of our animals are strays at the moment and looking for good homes.” My guide says.

” What is the process of adoption?” I ask. She explains to me that first, you look at the pets, and if you find one that you are interested in you submit an application for the specific animal to be approved. Next, I asked her, “What is your favorite part about working at the shelter? “I love seeing animals go to good homes and receive the care they need. I look forward to coming here every day.” Towards the end of my visit, I asked what kind of donations the animal shelter needs. The Ames animal shelter needs all brands of solid food, blankets/beds in good condition, cat litter, Kleenex, and Ziplock bags which you can bring in anytime during opening hours. Ames Animal Shelter greatly appreciates community support. Ames Animal Shelter is grateful to all who donate.

The animal shelter is a fantastic place to go if you are looking for a new pet. The people at Ames animal shelter appreciate visitors and donations. Ames Animal Shelter works hard to educate the community and give animals better lives. The Ames Animal Shelter is an important part of our Ames community and is worth visiting.