Celebrating 70 years: HSMC adopters, supporters wanted for special photo op

This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo

MONROE — In celebration of 70 years of pet adoptions, the Humane Society of Monroe County (HSMC) is inviting adopters and supporters to be part of a photo op at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 at the shelter, 911 S. Raisinville Road (next to the fairgrounds).

“We will be celebrating 70 years of service to the Monroe County animals and community in October,” Jackie Monteer, HSMC director, said. “We would like to have as many adopters and supporters as possible join us for a photo shoot. We have a drone coming to take a picture of the group in the grassy field in front of the shelter. After the picture, we have cake to celebrate our 70 years and hope to see many familiar faces.”

Before the celebration begins, HSMC will be at Howl-O-Ween Bark in the Park from noon until 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Park offering microchipping for $20. According to the HSMC website, if your dog or cat becomes lost, a microchip can ensure that there is another way for your animal to be identified in addition to their tag or license.

Each stray dog or cat brought into the shelter is scanned for identification and all of their cats and dogs are now microchipped before they are adopted.

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Monteer says since taking over the animal control shelter, “a lot of good things have happened.”

This month, fencing will be installed, allowing the dogs a larger area to play.

“We work really hard on having play groups for dogs which is something new,” she said. “We have anywhere from two to seven dogs in a group. We figure out which ones like each other and we take them out in the side yard and let them play. At the end of the day, they’re ready to come in and go to sleep.”

A list of upcoming events and community outreach services are listed on the organization’s website along with information on volunteering and sponsorship.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Celebrating 70 years: HSMC adopters, supporters wanted for special photo op