Starting this weekend, dogs, cats, kittens and puppies will be available for one-stop adoption with all the accessories and necessities at the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center’s Pet Place in La Grande Princess.
The grand opening of the Pet Place will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. A storewide sale is planned and a special $14 adoption rate.
The adoption center is located next to Food Town on Northside Road. Regular hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
After Hurricane Maria destroyed the AWC Clifton Hill facility in September, the organization moved to Dr. Paul Hess’s former veterinarian clinic with plenty of space for boarding and medical procedures, but lacking proper space to feature pets available for adoption.
The AWC board, staff and volunteers began a search for a location and found the perfect spot just around the corner from the new AWC site at Five Corners.
Over the last three weeks, dozens of volunteers stripped the building of damaged ceiling tiles and wall coverings, painted and repaired the electrical and plumbing systems and built shelves, window screens and refurbished the floor. The result: a bright, cheery, colorful “pet place” with the feeling of a child’s favorite pre-school.
“We’re looking to double local adoptions this year and hoping the Pet Place can do that,” said Alison Sobeck, AWC adoptions coordinator. The goal, she added, is about 80 animals a month.
The cats and dogs who will live at the Pet Place will be ready for adoption. They will have been neutered, micro-chipped and have had their vaccinations. They will play in puppy pens and brightly colored rooms – sorted by age and size – and will stay at night in rows of crates in a secure area. The cats have their own room, complete with climbing trees and toys.
“They will be ready to go that day,” Sobeck said.
Prospective owners will complete an application and talk about their needs and the pet’s personality with Sobeck and Louise Foss, co-coordinator of adoptions.
In addition to the pups’ play rooms and the so called “night-night room,” there is a laundry/bathroom complete with a shower for bathing dogs, a kitchen for preparing food and an office for pets and their prospective owners to get to know each other.
Once the perfect match has been made, owners will be able to purchase leashes, collars, carriers, toys, treats and grooming items on site to make the homecoming more fun. The proceeds from all sales will benefit the AWC.
