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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (July 26, 2001)
Thursday] Thursday, July 26, 2001 Page, 3 THE BATTALION Brazos Animal Shelter Story by John Salerno • Graphic by Chad Mallam : 4 21 1 : r his Friday, animals will party with humans. Movies, doing each oth ers’ hair and playing Nintendo may be missing form this pajama party, but someone may find their new best friend at the Brazos Animals Shelter Pet Pajama Party. “We make a party event | out of it and make a differ- ence,” said Ashley Wesp, operations supervisor for the shelter. The Brazos Animal Shelter runs four big adoption events ^ each year, including the Pet Pajama Party, this year on QSp Friday, July 27 from 7 p.m. to midnight. Although the party began as an outlet for kit ten adoptions four years ago, the Pet Pajama Party has become a much bigger annual event that allows for the adop- k tion of many animals. Three out of four an- fc J imals are adopted at the J shelter — well above 1 the national average of M one in four animals — thanks to sponsored events like the Pet Pajama Party. The only requirements to take advantage of the mil half-price adoptions are f PE pre-approved applica- tions (before 6 Friday, July 27) and pajamas. People hoping to adopt spend an evening in their pajamas interacting with their soon to-be pets and prospective pet owners. The Brazos Animal Shelter in Bryan offers sendees that allow : the potential pet owner to make a careful and sound decision before adopting an animal. But the shelter also provides many other services not related to adoption, such as “microchipping” tor permanent identi fication of pets. Wesp said the shelter also has “an impound service where the public can \Ne make a party event out of it and make a dif ferenced — Ashley Wesp operations supervisor for Brazos Animal Shelter bring up stray animals and the owner can claim them.” Adoption, however, is the shelter’s main service. “We make our staff knowledgeable of the different breeds and behaviors of the animals.” said Mary llaislet, humane education coordinator for the shelter, . This is to ensure the organ ization is efficiently run prior to the animal’s adoption. 'I'he shelter deals mostly with cats and dogs of all ages but occasionally one might find rabbits, hamsters, birds, and even goats. Strays are cap tured by animal control or brought in by the public. Precautions are taken while the ani mals remain at the shelter, waiting for adoption. Even further care is taken once a potential owner expresses inter est in an animal. “Basic vaccinations help us control disease in our building and help for long-term protection of the animal if it’s adopted,” Wesp said. “Once someone has come in and picked out an animal they are interest ed in, an application is filled out that in volves cliecking the landlord [of the po tential adopters housing) and the person’s history,” Wesp said. Wesp also said that the animal shel ter considers “why [the person) wants to adopt the animal. lias the person thought of where [the pet) would stay when the person travels, who will fi nance the pet and we make sure they are considering the fact that it is a long term commitment.” Even the veterinary his tory of the potential owner’s previous pets are examined by the shelter. Many of these potential owners are not students, but families in Bryan, as well as many others who come from different counties and states. With such a diverse clientele, it is important to promote the shelter. The publicity ranges from weekly newspaper ads, ra dio spots and television advertisements. They also advertise on an Internet Website with “Pet Finders,” that helps out-of-state customers choose a pet and have it sent to that state. The animals cannot be chosen in ad vance, but for college students interest ed in adopting a new pet, the Pet Paja ma Party offers a good opportunity to do so. ued from PQ9 e iot the firetome ias surrounded': meeting to fa ie club, manyP ere concerneda ed golf course ct coordinator! scription ofit- olf course,’’” 'ere displeased the Student Seiva# ; identtopickup 3 *' 3 y free, addition^' 30 per school yeaty . nd $17.50forWS“J' ■Card, Discover, or Ar p CCD’VS COLLECT STATICNs #1 DANCE CLUE sc’s REVR© n s Ml ■ SI M V*> si I A1 I I ISI S *“ LCNCNECrS CLCSE CdJLCeE NITE <SC cent RRINRS ^<5 cent LENENECES 8-11 E./V4. $100 HOT LEGGS CONTEST TCIDAr & SATURDAY S1.CC CAL CLINES 9k LCNGNECLS TILL 11 LwH. 18 + AEVEW A CO VEIL CLIAILliE WITH COEXECiF 1-11. Texas Avenue @ Southwest Pkwy, (Next to 4.0 & Go) 694-0018 [5J[jME. 313 S. COLLEGE 846-3343 Thursday Ladies, Lids & Longnecks } 9-11 750 Mixed Drinks 750 Longnecks $ 2.50 Chuggers ALL NIGHT Ladies 18 & up FREE ‘til 11 Ladies 21 & up FREE ‘til midnight Guys with Cowboy Hats FREE ‘til 10 Friday CHARLIE ROBISON LIVE DOORS OPEN AT 9:00 $ 2.50 Chuggers all night ■ Tickets - $ 8.00/advance $ 10.OO/door Tickets available at Cavenders & Hurricane Harry's