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The Washington Humane Society pledged in 2006 to find a good home for every adoptable animal. This is no easy task while providing care for over 20,000 animals a year, taking in an average of 33 animals a day at two different shelters. Their goals are to "increase adoption, decrease the number of animals in need, and teach responsible pet ownership." With shelters around the country being forced to euthanize 4 to 5 million dogs and cats a year, we applaud the WHS's efforts to find good homes for the pets of D.C. So we've decided to help by highlighting adoptable dogs and cats in the District. This new column will feature some of the four legged friends who are currently waiting to find a loving family.
We love both dogs and cats, but were unable to photograph any cats on our recent visit to the WHS. Cats will hopefully be featured along with dogs next time.
Kate is a 2-year-old hound mix who was rescued after being found at a bus shelter in Maryland. (Meaghan Gay)
Tancho
If you have ever wanted your own little Ewok, then Tancho is the dog for you. Tancho is a 6-year-old male Shih Tzu/Pekingese mix, two breeds that can normally live 14-16 years. Tancho is house trained, and he is good with other dogs, kids, and cats. His previous family surrendered him to the shelter for no other reason then that they, "did not want him anymore." Tancho requires very little exercise, but will need regular visits to the groomer. He also has an untreated skin allergy and will need to be seen by a vet. He is a very mellow dog, who can sit, stay, lay down, and as you can see, dance adorably for treats. After meeting Tancho, and temporarily appeasing his desire for chin rubs, I can say that he would be an ideal candidate for Underdog to Wonderdog. Underneath all that blinding fur is a sweet, happy dog who just wants to sit in your lap.
Nina
Nina is a ball of puppy energy. She is a happy 7-month-old Pitt Bull mix whose life before the shelter was a very miserable one. She, and her brother who is in foster care, were living outside. She was malnourished and had very little fur. Since she was rescued, Nina has put on weight and grown back most of her fur, but she still has some patches of skin issues. Both mange and ringworm have been ruled out, and there is hope that she will grow out of her skin problem as she gets older. Nina is a sweet girl who will sit patiently for treats, which is a tough task for a young pup whose tail wants to run like a wiggly motorboat.
Sumi
Sumi is a 3-year-old Akita mix whose owner was forced to surrender her because he had too many dogs. He chose to keep Sumi's puppy instead of her, and now Sumi needs a home where she can get a fair amount of exercise. She is past the energetic puppy phase, but still needs to get out and have some play time. Several employees at the Humane Society stressed how smart Sumi is, and how she is picking up her training very fast. Sumi is already house trained, good-natured and eager to please. She sat very still for her portrait and is even more beautiful in person.
Kate
Kate is a 2-year-old hound mix, whose spirit is more joyful then her story. She was found at a bus shelter in Maryland, and her owner was located via her tags. The owner had moved out of state and had given her to someone else. The second owner could not be located and the original owner told the Humane Society to keep her. Now Kate is looking for a home where she can stay, and be loved, forever. Kate was shy at first, but is very sweet and loved to be rubbed. Maybe you could be the person to love her forever?
If you are interested in adopting any of the animals featured, please contact the Washington Humane Society.
All of these dogs are located at the Georgia Avenue shelter:
7319 Georgia Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20012
tel: 202-723-5730
If you want to help but cannot adopt an animal, you can donate to the Washington Humane Society. A $150 donation will cover the average cost of an animal's stay, and help WHS complete their goal of finding a good home for every animal.
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fantasic name for the column!
fantastic, even!
I woulda gone with "Swamp Poodle" but, yeah, great column. Can we have an Adopt-a-Councilmember column where sponsors can spay/neuter them with a lawn edger?
+1 damn, who would have thought that you could turn any DC neighborhood name into a column name.
Doggy-style?
You're killing me! I want them all!
Those dogs look delicious...
If you like your "cheesesteaks" extra, extra lean.
DCist, I'm relying on you for housing if I get kicked out of my apartment for getting one of these adorable whippersnappers.
I want Tancho! Too bad my building doesn't allow pets!
why no cat pictures? could you not get in to see them, or were they just all being really shy?
There was some specific reason Meaghan couldn't be admitted to the cat area on the day she was there, they were trying to contain an infection or something. Hopefully we'll get some kitties next time.
thanks for the heads-up, sommer. i hope the kittehs are gonna be ok!
Meaghan, you're as bad as those damn Sarah McLachlan Humane Society PSAs and the David Duchovny voiced-over Pedigree ads. Curse you for making me make my "awwwwwwwww" face at work and causing people to wonder just what the hell is wrong with me. If my building allowed pets, I'd be all over it :(
Hahaha! Those commercials always make me cry.
I just want to remind everyone that even if you can't have a pet in your building, you can still sponsor. You can even go meet them to pick out which one you would like to sponsor. It may be a cliche, but to not euthanize these animals the WHS needs all the help they can get.
if my building could have dogs, i'd be all over Kate.
Thank you for posting these beautiful pics. Now if you would just send someone over to the leasing office in my apartment building and convince them that I should be allowed to have pets, I'll go to the shelter and bring one of these little guys home today.
Great photos indeed. I brainstormed some more pet puns based on DC 'hoods:
Adams Meowgan
Mew Street
Mewpont Circle
Foggy Paw-ttom
Petwoof
Woodley Bark
Or Just "Doggy Bottom"
Good call. I knew I was missing something obvious with that one!
Duclaw Circle.
Great new feature. Clever title, beautiful photos, and a good cause. Oh, and dogs! What's not to love?
I love that you are doing this for these dogs. Please continue this feature! Let us know when they get adopted, please :)
Molly!
(someone had to do it. . .)
You should really hilight the Washington Animal Rescue League -- often taking in the animals that most need the help. WARL just took in 84 dogs and 6 cats from an arkansas puppy mill.
They all need patient and loving homes. Not that these dogs don't--but the ones I'm talking about have spent all their lives without someone to love them.
OMG, these are killing me -- I wish I could take them all, but I can't have pets where I am. But WHS just made my CFC list thanks to this post!
I adopted Lucy, a now 90lb mastiff mix, last July. Best decision I ever made - she's amazing.
As a long time volunteer with WHS (you've probably seen me at many an adoption event), I've heard SO many times, "I WANT HIM! But my building doesn't allow it!"
DC is pretty unfriendly to dog owners in terms of housing. I hope the City sees the impact of it being difficult to find housing if you have a dog. Dog owners tend to be more responsible renters and stay in the same place longer. I hope the City begins to encourage more buildings to allow pets - the shelter needs it!