Never been picked

Animal adoption center tries to find homes for 'longtimers'

In human terms, they're the ones picked last for the dodgeball team, the misunderstood misfits, the gangly geeks who don't get asked to the prom.

For one reason or another, a half-dozen cats and dogs at the Humane Society of Northwest Montana Animal Adoption Center continuously have been overshadowed by cuter, cuddlier pets.

Some of the unwanted animals have been at the center for more than two years - and the staff wants that to change.

"Their stories are all sadly compelling," development director Brad Seaman said. "We're committed to finding these animals a home. When an animal is here that long, it's like being in prison."

Some are too old, some are too active or not active enough, some are too noisy.

Some simply leave a bad first impression.

"They're not purposely trying not to get adopted, but they're protecting their space," Seaman explained about dogs that bark incessantly when approached by strangers. "We know how good they can be. We see their personalities."

Take Star, for example.

The 5-year-old heeler-shepherd mix sits on command and is extremely well-mannered outside the kennel. Inside her cage, she barks aggressively and bounces against the chain-link fencing.

"You get her away from the kennel and she's a completely different dog," center manager Marje Guest said as she stroked Star's head.

Star was well-mannered enough to walk in the Kalispell Christmas parade, but she has been in the center since March 2006.

These aren't the kinds of pets to buy children for Christmas, Seaman cautioned. The center is looking for people with the patience to handle these special animals.

"This is the time of year when hearts do open," Seaman said. "We need people with a stubborn streak, those who are willing to commit and have a bigger heart for that particular situation."

Animals confined for long periods of time typically adapt well in home environments and usually revert to normal behavior, he said.

"The good news is that an animal confined for a long time can find a good home," Seaman said.

The adoption center puts down only terminally ill or extremely aggressive pets; all other animals are there until they're adopted.

It's not just dogs that have escaped the loving embrace of new owners; a few cats are center longtimers, too.

Candy Kisses, the Humane Society's April 2007 "calendar girl," is a beautiful white cat, but she has been there since April 2005 because "she's kind of crabby when you first meet her," Seaman said.

She's been at the center since she was a kitten.

"It's overwhelming to her" in the cat cages, but when taken into a room alone, Candy Kisses is as lovable as any of her shelter mates.

"The photographer who took her home to photograph her for the calendar said she was marvelous," he said. "And the people in the cat room love her."

That said, Candy Kisses' temperament isn't the perfect choice for young children.

Other pets in need of a good home include:

. Pumpkin, a 6-year-old male cat, was adopted out once but ended up back at the shelter. He also isn't a good choice for toddlers, but for children 6 and older he would be fine. Pumpkin currently gets the royal treatment in Guest's office, where his kitty bed is within petting distance from her desk. She said she took Pumpkin out of the cat room because he was depressed.

. Buster is an 8 1/2-year-old Great Dane mix who struggles with arthritis. Daily glucosamine tablets keep the condition manageable. He has been with the adoption center for about eight months and has a high energy level for his age. Buster looks and sounds fierce in his cage, but when removed to another area, he's a charmer.

"He needs a retirement home," Seaman said. "Somewhere to live out his last couple years - it takes a special person."

. Zelda came to the center in October 2005 with a litter mate who was adopted in June. She's a 5-year-old Rottweiler/Labrador/husky cross who also was on her best behavior as she marched in the Christmas parade this year.

. Bitsy is a 7-year-old brown-and-white female cat who prefers to keep a low profile. She has been at the center since July 2005. Bitsy's extreme shyness has been a deterrent in getting her adopted; she shares Guest's office space with Pumpkin, although Bitsy prefers to stay under the desk.

At the shelter, adoption fees have been reduced for the month of December and apply to all animals over one year of age.

Dogs may be adopted for $75 or cats for $55. Normal fees are $95 and $75, respectively. The fee includes more than $250 worth of veterinary care, Seaman said. All animals have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and have had a microchip implanted for identification if they're ever lost.

The adoption center, located on U.S. 93 north of Kalispell, is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; call 752-PAWS or go online at www.hsnwmt.com

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com