Adoption fees at the Lewis County Animal shelter have increased.
According to Lewis County animal control officer Homer Wilburn, the shelter had to raise prices to help pay for the expenses of housing the animals.
The prices are now $10 for adoption, $30 for euthanization performed by the shelter, and $10 a day for housing of animals from inside or outside of the county.
Wilburn said the county not only accepts animals inside Lewis County, but from Fleming and Elliott counties as well.
"When we bring an animal into the shelter, we make sure the shots are up to date, so this will help pay for those expenses," Wilburn said.
Wilburn said the adoption fee was raised from $5, but it is still lower than what was once charged in the county.
"We used to charge $20," he said. "But, we realized that was too much and lowered it to $5. However, we had to raise it to the $10 to bring a little more revenue into the shelter."
According to Wilburn, the adoption fee does not apply to hunting/hound dogs.
"They're working dogs," he said. "People don't really buy those type of dogs for pleasure pets. They buy them for hunting purposes, so the adoption is a little different."
Anyone interested in adopting an animal from the shelter can stop by at 149 County Lane in Vanceburg during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and request adoption of an animal.
"All they have to do is pay the adoption fee," he said. "If they live in the county, they will get a dog tag, but if not, they just pay the fee. I have the right to refuse service to anyone I don't feel could properly take care of an animal and I have a list of people who are not allowed to adopt animals from my shelter."
Wilburn said he currently has about 13 animals at the shelter, which is about the usual number.
"The only animals I won't adopt out to someone are the ones that could be dangerous," he said.
The animal shelter can be reached at 606-796-3917.
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