Shelter celebration to offer cheap adoptions

The Bryant Animal Shelter will hold its 20th birthday celebration Saturday with snacks, demonstrations and, of course, the chance to adopt a new best fur friend.

“Twenty is a significant milestone,” said Bryant Animal Control Director Tricia Power. “We are excited about the work that we’ve done and we want to highlight some of that.”

The event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. The shelter is located at 25700 Interstate 30 N. in Bryant

According to Power, the shelter usually has an open house in November, but this year it is adding Saturday’s event in order for it to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the shelter’s opening.

“Our doors will be opened and people will be able to come and see behind the scenes of the shelter,” Power said. “We will have displays where people can get handson with some of our equipment. The kids really like that. They learn how to set a humane trap and how to operate some of our animal control devices that help keep us and the animals safe.”

Animal control officers will be on hand for demonstrations of equipment and to answer any questions that

partygoers have about how the shelter operates. People will also be able to see inside the organization’s trucks.

“Of course, we will have pets for adoptions,” Power said.

The shelter will also be reducing adoption fees for the celebration. All adoption fees will be $20 in honor of the shelter’s 20th birthday.

Power has been with the shelter for the past 20 years, so this is also a significant time for her.

“As the city has grown, our department has grown,” Power said. “We are still only four full-time employees, so (the department) is still relatively small. It’s one of the smallest departments in the city, but we are still pretty proud of the fact that we’ve been able to work well with the public and we’ve received so much support over the years in good times and bad. This is our way of saying ‘thank you.’”

Power said that anyone considering adopting a pet really needs to take stock of their lifestyles and whether they have the time, finances and most of all, room in their heart for a new member of the family.

“They need to make sure that they are ready to adopt,” Power said. “They want to consider how many hours a day they work and what they are physically able to do. If they have a very active lifestyle then an active dog or even a puppy may be great. They will be able to give that animal what it needs.”

Power suggested those that work more sporadic shifts or longer hours may want to consider adopting a cat.

“Look past what they look like,” Power said. “It’s not about how cute they are. If (you) are not able to give them what they need, it’s not going to be a good match. Look past the physical attractiveness of the animal and look at what they need compared to what you are are able to give them.

By adopting a shelter pet, Power believes that both sides receive something positive

“I always say that adopted animals are the best because they really do, I think, understand that you helped them,” Power said. “That you saved them. I think they show so much appreciation.”

Power said that one of her favorite things about working at the shelter is that she gets to be part of each family that adopts an animal and that it warms her heart when people continually return to the shelter to adopt more animals because they have had positive experiences with adoption.

“We are pretty proud of the lives that we have saved and all of the work that we’ve done,” Power added.