NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Animal Shelter is holding an event at the Eagle Media studios this weekend.
"We set up dogs that are available for adoption," said Michaela Schommer with the shelter. "Our adoption prices for that day are half of our normal cost. All of our dogs come spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, up to date on their rabies."
Before you come to the event on Saturday, be sure your lifestyle is ready for a new pet.
"It takes people to research and know what they are taking on before they do," Schommer said. "Everybody loves dogs and everyone assumes that they are easier than children and, to be honest, they are about the same effort."
There's also often a difference between a child's desire to have a pet and their willingness to care for it.
"Parents need to do research first," Schommer said. "Make sure that they understand crate training is the best form of potty training and protecting the dog while they are not home. Bring the whole family to meet with the animal to make sure that, maybe your oldest son and daughter are great with this dog, but your three year old is terrified of it. Make sure everybody gets to meet the animal. Then, my last huge key piece of advice would be, parents especially need to understand that they ultimately are responsible for the pet and while you can use it as a teaching tool to give your children responsibility and learn responsibility and learn how to give compassionate care for another living being, an eight year old cannot take on that full responsibility."
Event organizers are also accepting donations for the Animal Shelter, monetary, food and pet toys from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday on the south lawn at 8th and Main in Hutchinson.