The Berrien County Humane Society has slashed animal adoption fees for the cats and dogs housed there in hopes of finding them all good homes.

“We would rather see a little less come back on the money and get them into a good home,” said animal shelter director Brenda Jackson.

Jackson said the shelter currently houses between 60 and 70 cats and 20 dogs and the majority of them have been “socialized,” she said.

“The cats get along with the dogs and the dogs get along with the cats,” Jackson said.

At the shelter, dogs and cats are housed in group situations, Jackson said.

“We have an adult colony and an indoor and outdoor environment,” Jackson said.

The fee for adoption of either a cat or a dog will be reduced to $25 from Dec. 1 through Dec. 31. For dogs, the adoption fee covers spaying or neutering of the animal, the rabies vaccination, heartworm testing for dogs over six months old, the combination vaccination for parvo and distemper and the dog’s first worming treatment. For cats, the fee covers spaying or neutering of the animal, the rabies vaccination, the feline leukemia test, a four-way combination vaccination and the cat’s first worming treatment. Those who adopt a pet will also receive a “How to Take Care of Your Dog/Cat” DVD./

Each new owner must also sign an adoption contract. If the adoption doesn’t work, the Berrien County Humane Society expects the pet to be returned to us and not sold or given away. The society will refund the adoption fee or replace the pet within 14 days.

“We aren’t expecting miracles but we are hoping that, in these times of recession and the holidays, the reduced prices might help relieve some of the crowding,” Jackson said.

Jackson said that the society has also reduced the prices for their spaying and neutering program to $45 for female cats, $35 for male cats and the cost of spaying and neutering, which are based on a dog’s weight, have also been reduced.

For more information about the Berrien County Humane Society and to complete an adoption application online, go to http://bchs.giving.officelive.com/default.aspx.

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.