Arnold is a bullmastiff that’s available for adoption from the Effingham County animal shelter.
He was left in the drop-off bin, so shelter staff members have no specific information about him. They guess he is at least 6 years old.
He’s a big, friendly dog. He’s gained some weight since he’s been at the shelter, but he’s still very skinny and needs to gain some more.
Also up for adoption this week is Murtaugh, a pit bull mix. He was brought in by deputies with the sheriff’s office.
Staff guesses he’s at least 2 years old. “He’s a big baby,” said kennel assistant Tarah Olson. “He has to get to know you before he’ll come up to you.”
Adoption Coordinator Bill Cowan said he would be glad to come to club meetings or schools or just about any gathering of people and speak about what’s going on at the shelter and what the needs are for animals in Effingham County. To contact Cowan, call the shelter at: 912-754-2109.
The shelter has started a new policy: animals must receive a rabies and a “DAPP” shot — for distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and parvovirus — before they can leave the facility.
The shots are given on Monday and Thursday mornings. Someone who adopts an animal must wait until the next time shots are given before being allowed to take the animal home.
Adoption fees are $50 for a dog and $40 for a cat. The prices include shots.
Adopting families must pledge to have the animal spayed or neutered within 30 days.
The shelter is at 307 Ga. 119 S. in Springfield.
Its Web page is: http://www.effinghamcounty.org/DepartmentsAF/AnimalShelter.aspx.
Go to the drop-down list under “Departments A-F” and go to “Animal Shelter” and then “Adoption Page” to see information about some of the dogs and cats that are available.