by Kiara Posey
Two weeks ago, the Pike Animal Shelter was just a few dogs away from having to euthanize dogs.
Coincidentally, the potential crisis coincided with an SGA event called ‘Puppy Picnic,” that allowed students to meet some of the dogs from the shelter. Before the event began, SGA changed their focus from just fun to raising awareness.
Half of the dogs at the picnic have now found new homes!
Students had the opportunity to meet four pit-bull mixes: Jupiter, Ash, Nova and Queen. Now, the Pike Animal Shelter is happy to announce that Queen and Jupiter have both gone to new homes.
Queen was adopted by Emileigh Lake, a sophomore criminal justice major from Nashville, Tennessee, after she saw a picture of Queen on the Pike Animal Shelter’s Facebook page. Lake visited the animal shelter to visit Queen and knew she had to take the pup home with her.
“What inspired me to adopt her was the fact that she was so sweet and loving when I would go and see her,” Lake said.
Lake said she knew she always wanted to adopt a pet because she grew up with a dog back home. When she moved to college, she missed her pets back home and knew she wanted to give a dog a loving home.
“She loves to play with my roommate’s dog,” Lake said. "They are the best of friends.
“She loves naps; and in the morning, she would rather cuddle than get up.”
Members of SGA were pleased to know that two of the puppies who were brought to the Puppy Picnic were adopted.
“SGA is happy to have had a part in helping promote adoptions,” said Elizabeth McMahan, a sophomore biomedical sciences major from Decatur, Alabama, and Academic Affairs chairman. McMahan organized the event. “Puppy Picnic was a big success and we had so much fun bringing the puppies and meeting all the students who came out.
“We look forward to having a similar event again in the fall.”.”
Even though Queen and Jupiter went to new homes, there are still animals in need of adoption at the Pike Animal Shelter.
“Make sure you spay and neuter, that’s our biggest thing,” said Kathrine Maddox, the assistant manager at the Pike Animal Shelter.
There are several ways students can help the animal shelter without adopting. Maddox suggests that students can come visit the shelter and spend time with the animals.
“They can come down here and walk the dogs,” Maddox said. “We need dogs to be better on their leashes because it helps them get adopted.
“They can come down here and just sit by the dogs, especially if they’re shy. They need people and socialization.”
If students are considering adopting a pet, there are factors they should consider before taking that first step.
“If you’re thinking about adopting a dog, make sure you think hard about it,” Maddox said. “Make sure you have the time because it’s a full-time job.
“It’s like having a toddler 24/7. Dogs are completely dependent on their human all the time.”
For more information about adoption, visit the Pike Animal Shelter.
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