I first discovered their shelter in 2008, and immediately
fell in love with all the doggies, young and old, large and small, waiting
patiently for someone to take them to their new, "forever" home. I
adopted three dogs there and was very pleased with the price, the care and
medical attention the dogs were given, and the kind of dogs they turned out to
be. Back then, Common Sense for Animals was making trips to the southern
states, taking dogs from shelters in West Virginia,
South Carolina and Georgia, where shelters had hit
maximum capacity due to all the pets that had been rescued after Hurricane
Katrina. I am sure they still make these trips to save animals from shelters
that euthanize.
At that time, they had just the one vet office as their main
building, and a secondary, outbuilding where the dogs who were up for
adoption were housed. In 2013, it appears have expanded significantly. Walk up the
front driveway, and you will be greeted by several talkative chickens, and a
couple of dog statues that guard the doors of their new, expanded adoption
center. We visited there recently, and it seems that CSA is doing better than
ever.
In the main lobby you'll find a colorful iguana who has his
own bachelor pad next to the front door, where he can climb up a fake tree,
munch on lettuce and iguana food, and just chill out. They have several
friendly rabbits and other caged rodents; a fish tank, a couple of birds, and I
guess whatever else random animal that might come through the door. The shelter
is mostly quiet (meaning, as quiet as it can be with hordes of cats and dogs
living there), with a few volunteers coming in and out, cleaning and
spending time with the animals, which is nice to see. The girl who works
the front desk is always friendly and helpful.
Where they once only took in a small number of dogs and
cats, CSA's expanded facility now offers a much larger area for adoptable pets
to reside. They have both caged cats (probably for health and/or safety
reasons, some cats must be caged), as well as ones that roam about in special
cat-rooms that you can enter via glass doors, to spend some time with the
friendliest of their felines. In these rooms, the cats are able to move about
freely, perch in carpeted "cat-trees," exercise their claws on
scratching posts, play with cat-toys, eat, poop, and generally live the best
cat existence possible considering the circumstances. If you're considering
getting a cat, why not check out the large selection of lovable kitties at CSA?
Next to the main desk, they've strategically located a few
fenced-in pens for older puppies who are obviously up for adoption and safe to
play with (meaning, no illness or other potential issues). Walk over there, and
you are more than likely to receive a hearty hello from a group of wiggling,
panting, pawing, stomping, eager little tail-waggers who just can't wait for
someone to take them home. Or at the very least, let them out for a romp and a
snuggle!
Walk past these guys, and you'll see the washing machines, to
the left of which there are several rows of puppy cages, for the guys who
either cannot be housed in groups, or who maybe are too young, or perhaps just
came in and are on a trial period. (I am not sure of the specific reasons why
one animal or another must be caged – you have to ask the shelter workers for
specifics). And to the right and behind them, of course they have the original
outbuilding full of doggie stalls, where the adult dogs who are ready for
adoption, live. Open that door, and you may be startled by the sudden, loud
barking of all the big dogs at once. But, you get used to it fast, and soon
realize that all these poor fellas want is a walk outside and a nice place to
call "forever home" with a family who loves and takes good care of
them.
Common Sense for animals offers an attractive pricing
package that includes adoption fee, first vaccines, neuter or spay, and
microchipping, for one flat fee. They encourage volunteers to help take care of
the many animals that come through their doors, and they hold several
fundraising events throughout the year.
To learn more, visit their website at http://commonsenseforanimals.org,
or give them a call at 908 859 3060.