Puppies, like this one, who arrived at the shelter on Monday, need homes, as do adult dogs and cats, and kittens. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

LAKEPORT – Lake County Animal Care and Control has a full house of critters this holiday season, and they're hoping that devoted pet lovers who are interested in adopting will be willing to add a another pet to their homes.

Bill Davidson, the agency's new deputy director, joined Animal Care and Control on Nov. 10. He's taking over the day-to-day operations of the shelter plus field services. Director Denise Johnson will focus more on legislative issues and the budget.

One of Davidson's duties is working on the adoption rate, which has grown thanks to the work of center staff to place animals both in homes and rescues.

Davidson said they see a lot of adoptions during the holiday season, but a thorough application and screening process is meant to ensure that the animals go to the right homes.

Still, the holidays are seeing lots of animals at the shelter. “We've got a full house right now,” Davidson said.

Just this Monday, an owner surrendered eight, 6-week-old Rottweiler/mastiff mix puppies. Davidson said there are five females and three males, with coloring that ranges from black and tan to black and white and tricolor.

“They are absolutely adorable,” he said.

On Tuesday morning the puppies made a visit to the Board of Supervisors meeting for Animal Care and Control's weekly showcase of adoptable pets.

Davidson added that they couldn't get out of the courthouse, with people wanting to see and hold the pups.

They will be large dogs, and are friendly and outgoing. Davidson said they're ready for adoption now. The costs are $172 for females and $142 for males, which covers shots and spay/neuter services. Licensing is not included.

The shelter doesn't have a lot of puppies, Davidson said. “Puppies usually go a lot sooner than the adult dogs go.”

However, along with eight Rottweiler/mastiff mixes, they also have three boxer/pit bull mixes that are very nice and need homes. A rescue group is interested in taking those pups but wants four of the others as well.

Davidson said they want to offer the puppies locally before sending them out of the county to rescue groups. He plans to hold onto them into the start of the new year to allow for local adoptions.

There also are plenty of adult dogs and cats, plus kittens that need homes. All of them can be found on the shelter's Web site, www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm.

Adoptions have been better in recent years, which has contributed to less euthanasia.

However, euthanasia is still higher than Davidson wants to see it. “We'd certainly like it to be better.”

Davidson said the problem is getting the word out that great animals are available.

Anyone interested in responsibly adopting a pet can call Lake County Animal Care and Control for more information, visit the shelter at 4949 Helbush (next to the Lake County Jail) or check out the shelter Web site at www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm, where the animals can be seen online.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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