For many of us, our fluffy, four-legged friends are just as much a part of our families as our two-legged loved ones. But many cats, dogs, rabbits and other pets — in the Upper Valley and beyond — are waiting for homes to call their own.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates “companion animals” enter shelters in the United States every year. Nearly 650,000 are strays returned to their owners, but the rest are abandoned — and 2.7 million are euthanized.
With all that in mind, the Valley News is launching a new weekly column on its website featuring pets that are adoptable from organizations based in the Upper Valley. The descriptions and photos of the pets are submitted by the organizations and sent to the Valley News, and we will gather them and post them in this space.
If you’re interested in meeting or adopting one of the featured pets, please contact the organizations via the links in the pets’ descriptions (and let us know if you add a new family member from this page!).
And if you’re involved with a pet adoption organization in the Upper Valley and want to contribute to this feature, please email mcassidy@vnews.com.
So without further ado, allow us to introduce the first group of featured pets who are adoptable in our region:
Meet low rider and snugglebug, Carrie! She’s already spayed, housetrained, up to date with shots, good with kids, good with dogs and not good with cats.
She stole the hearts of every shelter volunteer and transporter who met her on her journey from North Caroline to Vermont. Carrie is about 1 year old. She weighs in at about 45 pounds and has a beautiful copper coat and whiskey-colored eyes. She has heart-shaped markings on her nose and a white spot at the end of her tail to punctuate her happy and loving disposition! Carrie is happy to see you every time you walk into the room and is quick with a kiss and hug to let you know she missed you. Her favorite pastime is chewing on bones. She will happily chew for hours while cuddling you on the couch. Carrie is a funny girl and quick with a smile.
She’s still working on her manners but is quickly learning to sit, stay and come (with the help of a few tasty treats). Carrie also gets so excited about all the smells outside that she sometimes forgets to go to the bathroom, but she’s getting better about staying focused and getting down to business. Carrie is an excellent walker who stays with you and heels with just a look. She loves her leash so much that she will take it out of her basket and sleep with it, ready at a moment’s notice! Carrie loves the car and is a well-behaved passenger. She can get in and out all by herself.
Carrie would do well with other medium or large dogs or with an experienced owner who can handle her puppy-like tendency to play roughly. She can be fearful of missing out on her breakfast or dinner — and she is a hungry, growing girl — which makes her forget her manners and guard her food. Again, an experienced adopter who can firmly guide and teach Carrie and cultivate her sweet and silly side would be best.
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Carrie is up for adoption from North Star Dog Rescue, a network of foster volunteers in and around the Upper Valley. Fill out an application here. North Star Dog Rescue is also on Facebook.
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Billy, adoptable from Potter’s Angels Rescue
“My name is Billy, and I am as agile as a Billy goat. Don’t believe me? Just watch me climb! I am a super smart boy, too. Put together my climbing and jumping abilities with my supreme intelligence and what do you get? A future champion agility dog! Yeah, I see blue ribbons in my future.
“But, I have a very big hurdle to clear before that can happen: I have to be adopted. As much as I would love to compete for blue ribbons, I will feel like a champion just to have a home. So if agility isn’t your thing, don’t let that stop you from meeting me. I just need someone who will engage my brilliant mind and provide me with daily exercise because I have energy to burn.”
Billy is a 43-pound 1½-year-old male hound-Airedale terrier mix. He is neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped. He is affectionate, joyful and playful. Billy knows how to sit and wait for his food, enjoys running on the treadmill and is an excellent and well-behaved walking companion. He is crate-trained and will require a crate in his new home. He loves to be with his people and be a part of what is going on. He is currently being fostered with seven other dogs and has gotten along great with everyone, including a 5-pound Chihuahua. We feel he would excel in a home that could provide him with the mental stimulation and leadership that he craves.
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Billy is up for adoption from Potter’s Angels Rescue, based in East Randolph. Submit an application here. Potter’s Angels is also on Facebook.
Missy, adoptable from Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society
“Hi! My name is Missy and I’m a 12-year-old spayed female. I came to Lucy Mackenzie when my human was moving and couldn’t take me along. I like living here, but would really like to find a home of my own.
“I’ve lost some much needed weight and enjoy being more active than I used to be. I’m playful, attentive and generally a very easy-going gal. I promise to be a most loving companion and guarantee to bring lots of smiles and laughs to your days. If you’ve been looking for a kitty to brighten your life, stop in and meet me today!”
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Missy is up for adoption from Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society, located at 4832 Route 44 in West Windsor and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 12-4 p.m. Lucy Mackenzie is also on Facebook and Twitter and can be reached at 802-484-5829.
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Redd Foxx, adoptable from the River Valley Animal Protection League
After feeding Redd Foxx for a couple of months, a River Valley Animal Protection League volunteer was able to coax him into a carrier and bring him to the shelter.
Even though he is a hardy, healthy guy, Redd’s thick, long-haired coat is ill-suited for outdoor life and he was covered in deep, painful mats. Some were bound so tight that they pulled the fur out of his skin and new fur had begun to grow underneath. His dense undercoat also held in dirt that was impossible for him to clean on his own. There was no choice but to remove all the mats and dirty fur, so he got a “lion cut.” He may look a little funny now, but rest assured that it feels so much better to move freely, be petted and groom himself without his fur being pulled on by those knots.
Redd will need regular grooming in his new home, and it may take some practice for him to get used to it.
Redd is also a very vocal kitty with a broad vocabulary of trills, chirps and meows. He enjoys window time and has even been spotted standing on his hind legs for a better view.
Redd is estimated to be about 3 years old.
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Redd Foxx is up for adoption from the River Valley Animal Protection League, located at 60 Cummings Ave. in Charlestown and open to the public Mondays, 4-7 p.m., and Saturdays, 1-4 p.m., or by appointment by calling 603-826-3061. The River Valley Animal Protection League is also on Facebook.
Nina, adoptable from Upper Valley Humane Society
Nina is a spunky patch tabby with a lot of personality! She is very talkative and likes to have the last word. She thrives on consistency and would do well in a home with a regular routine.
Nina usually spends her days playing with her toys and lounging around, and in her new home she would love a big sunny window to look out of. She isn’t a lap cat, but Nina likes to spend time around her human friends. Nina is not recommended for young children and should be your only pet.
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Nina is up for adoption from the Upper Valley Humane Society, located at 300 Old Route 10 in Enfield and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Upper Valley Humane Society is also on Facebook and Instagram and can be reached at 603-448-6888.