Three summers ago, the time was right to get a dog.  I wanted to get a shelter dog because I know there are so many dogs without homes. I visited a few at the shelter, took some out for a walk, and kept watching the papers for the dog-of-the-week photo. Then I saw him in the paper!  Just the right size, super cute. I went straight there to meet the “mini golden retriever.”  

Just as when I decided to buy my alpacas, Gypsy Prince and Canela, I knew this dog was the right one on my first visit. The shelter folks were very helpful and made my visits a pleasant experience. They gave me, a novice dog person, good advice before I took the newly dubbed “Chipper” home with me. They helped with arrangements to get all necessary shots and neutering as well. I was very pleased and impressed by how helpful the staff was.

Homer should be very proud of its Animal Shelter. This facility provides a place for homeless animals where they can be cleaned, cared for, fed, and made available for adoption. Taking care of homeless dogs and cats and other abandoned pets is a community’s responsibility. Much can be determined about a community based on how it handles the needs of its animals that are lost, abandoned, or abused.  

Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” So too is this the measure of a community because how we treat our animals says much about a community’s values. Homer cares about its animals, its people, and its environment. What a great place to live. Visit the Homer Animal Shelter and find yourself a four-legged companion.                                                                                                                                     

Nina Faust