Dog Lovers Find Puppies Hard To Resist

This puppy from Taft has been adopted, but the Humane Society on Bryant Street has many others in need of homes.

By Nao Braverman
Twelve remaining puppies transported from Taft to Ojai went up for adoption Saturday at the Humane Society of Ventura County. All 22 of the mixed breed pups were given vaccinations, implanted with micro chips for identification purposes, and spayed and neutered, said Jolene Hoffman, the Humane Society's shelter director.
Ten of the playful pups were adopted Friday including a soft, shorthaired mutt with a black spot that covered one eye like a patch, Spud Mackenzie style. The mutt, assumed by Humane Society staff to be at least part American bulldog, attracted the attention of a number of prospective owners who saw its picture in the newspaper and called to inquire.
"He ended up going home with a really nice family," said Hoffman.
Linda Hodges who drove the 22 puppies from Taft several weeks ago has already collected 40 new puppies in Taft who need homes. But the Humane Society can't take in any of them, this time, until additional adoptions make room for them, said Hoffman. She explains that the reason Kern County has so many homeless puppies is that there is no nearby spay and neuter clinic, so most pets just keep having babies.
"Kern County needs a spay and neuter clinic really bad," said Hoffman." Many people can't afford to pay the $130 to $200 it costs for the operation from a regular veterinarian, and most veterinary clinics are really far away."
People blame the shelters that euthanize their animals, but they are not the real problem, said Hoffman. Most shelters don't have the resources to take care of their animals so they really have no choice, she said.
The adoption process at the Humane Society of Ventura County is fairly simple. Adopters are asked for proof of ownership of their property, or the contact information of their landlord.
"Most animals are brought here because they have to move and their landlord doesn't allow pets," said Hoffman.
Humane Society officers also check out the adopting family's yard to make sure it is adequate for the animal they are adopting.
There are other factors as well. Hoffman said that the Humane Society had recently seen a number of families who wanted to give a puppy to an elderly family member.
"We had to tell them that a puppy is just not the way to go," she said. "We have a number of wonderful adult dogs which are much easier to care for."
As gifts, a gift certificate always makes the most sense as it is important to match the adopter with the most appropriate pet, according to Hoffman.
Dogs are all neutered and vaccinated and cost $95 to adopt. The Humane Society is at 402 Bryant St. and the shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m Monday through Saturday during the winter season.