April 29, 2008

The County Animal Shelter, located adjacent to and just behind the Justice Center off Highway 321 Business in Newton, will be open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., starting on May 28. The shelter will continue to be closed on Sundays.

The current operating hours for the shelter are 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Mondays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and closed on weekends.

“We are continually searching for ways to increase the number of adoptions of animals from our shelter,” said Jay Blatche, Catawba County Animal Services Manager. “We are appreciative of the assistance of the media, which regularly publishes photos of some of the animals we have for adoption, and from the Humane Society and other groups and local pet stores. We are hopeful that the expansion of our operating hours will further increase adoptions, because we will be open at times that may be more convenient for many people, on a second evening during the week and on Saturdays.”

For more information about animal adoption, the expansion of shelter hours, or the work of Catawba County Animal Care and Control, you may call the shelter at 828-464-7686.