Beginning Saturday, June 16, and for the next three Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., the Greenville Animal Shelter will be open to promote pet adoptions.

According to Becky Coon, a representative with the Butler County Humane Society, her organization requested and encouraged the city to open Saturdays on a trial basis. Coon stated that &uot;choosing a pet is a family decision

and that the best opportunity for a family to be together is Saturday.&uot; She also stated, &uot;The city council listened and responded, agreeing to the four Saturday openings.&uot; If response is good, the city will consider moving from the trial openings to permanent Saturday openings.

Presently, the Animal Shelter, located at 1310 East Commerce Street, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The shelter’s employees – Kay Lockhart, Arnold Boggan and Chris Waller care for and tend to the animals in a loving fashion and want pet owners to call 382-7806 as soon as possible when their family pet is missing. The shelter maintains a lost and missing message board to help recover pets. According to Boggan, long-range plans include training a dog so that he can bring pleasure to the elderly and teaching young owners how to care for their pets.

Should a family adopt a pet this Saturday (or any other day), the fee is $20. This fee covers the pet’s first set of shots, deworming, and one free check-up with Dr. Watson. For an additional fee of $15, the Humane Society provides a certificate to have the newly adopted pet spayed or neutered by Dr. Watson.

Both the Greenville Animal Shelter and the Butler County Humane Society praised Dr. Watson for the fact that he provides free medical advice and medicines for the animals.

&uot;He is a big help!&uot; said Mrs. Lockhart.