Extra Special Pets & Animals
Oct 24, 2008 7:09 pm US/Central
Pets At Luxury Animal Shelter Seek Loving Homes
HASTINGS, Minn. (WCCO) ―
-
-
Tiger enjoys a peek out the window now and then from the perch in his kitty condo.
CBS
When one thinks of animal shelters, lots of caged pets in a sterile, institutional setting often come to mind. One local pet adoption center is drastically changing that image.
Animal Ark, a no-kill shelter in Hastings, hopes its new luxury center serves as a prototype for other pet adoption sites in the state.
Animal Ark says pampered pet facilities lead to more adoptions.
"We want to take the idea of animal shelter and completely throw it out the window, said Animal Ark Executive Director Mike Fry. "And build a nice, warm, friendly, home-like environment where the animals and the people can be completely comfortable."
That's what the socialization rooms are for, complete with fireplaces and high definition TVs playing pet training videos.
"It's just a really nice place for the animals and for people to come in and sit down and enjoy the animals and get to know them," said adoptive pet owner Jennifer Steiner.
"I think you'd have a tendency to want to spend more time here," said shelter visitor John Clancy.
Animal Ark says the more time spent with an animal, the more likely they are to be adopted.
One of the first things a visitor might notice at the shelter is no animal smell. That's because it has state-of-the-art air filters which eliminate odors and allergens.
"It's like walking into a home, it's very nice," said shelter visitor Charlotte White.
It really is a dog's life there: Wide kennels, soft floors, raised dog beds with blankets and pet toys.
"It's very clean. This is much more unique than I've seen at any other -- Humane Societies that I've been in," said Clancy.
There's also the "Ark Park" to wear off steam and interact with other dogs.
"We've always had the dream of a more luxurious shelter," said Fry.
Animal Ark certainly achieved that with cat condos.
"They have their own rooms. I love this, look at the little radios," said White.
Playing classical music with cat trees and windows on the world.
"They've got their condos they can sit around with a couple of roommates and it's just really nice," said adoptive pet owner Christopher Steiner
All the luxury additions to Animal Ark were paid for with donations.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
The Good, The Bad And The Furry
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
