LEBANON — Humane Association officials have some advice for the many parents hearing this plea: “All I want for Christmas is a puppy — or a kitten.” Wait, they say.

INFORMATION

For information about adopting a pet or neutering and spaying, call:   • In Warren County shelter, 230 Cook Road, at 420-4176. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.   • In Hamilton County, call the SPCA (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) at 541-6100. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.   • In Clermont County, call the Humane Society at 732-8854. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.   • In Butler County, call the Humane Society at 867-5727. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

        Mari Lee Schwarzwalder, executive director of the Humane Association of Warren County, says the Christmas season is probably the worst time of the year to bring a new dog or cat into the home.

        “It's a hectic and busy time for everyone. It's easy to forget that a pet requires care and training,” she said. “I always tell parents to wait for a quiet time to bring an animal into the home.“We try our best to match families with specific pets,” she says. “And that can take weeks or months.”

        Mrs. Schwarzwalder helped found the Humane Association in Warren County 30 years ago and has been executive director ever since.

        “When an individual or family comes to the shelter and takes the first pet they see, it's probable the dog or cat will be returned to us in the coming weeks,” she says. “After getting the animal home, they quickly find out it's not a compatible match.”

        Families are asked to make appointments for interviews, and then to spend time around a variety of animals before choosing.

        Annually, the shelter takes in about 5,800 animals. That includes stray dogs and cats and others brought in by people who can no longer care for them. Of that number, 3,700 are destroyed, and about 2,000 get adopted.

        Mrs. Schwarzwalder emphasizes that every animal adopted from the shelter is spayed or neutered.

        Beginning Feb. 26, a $20 donation by Warren residents to the shelter will pay for spaying or neutering. Individuals with incomes of $12,000 or less are eligible for vouchers without donations.

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