ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Want to fall in love? It’s happening at the Elk Grove Animal Shelter. Who could resist those pleading puppy dog eyes? Or that kitty’s meow that translates to “Please take me home.”

 On Oct.17, there were 46 dogs, 28 cats, a rabbit, a guinea pig and a cockatiel that wanted to meet all you pet lovers out there.

Sarah Humlie, who is the animal services manager at the shelter, said, “We’ve had hamsters, mice, lizards, turtles and even a baby ostrich here.”

In two-hour shifts, volunteers – 250 in total – see that these animals are fed, kept clean, walked, petted and played with. In addition, the volunteers greet customers, answer phones and emails, and organize and restock all areas of the shelter.

A new program that volunteers can apply for is dog training. Stacy Davis, a qualified training instructor, teaches a six-week course. Volunteers learn to implement training and behavior modification plans.

If you are unable to provide a forever home, you can still enjoy time with an animal by fostering one for a specified period. Interested animal lovers will need to fill out a foster application online.

Input from foster pet parents who share how the animal reacts to a more homelike situation augments information given to potential new pet parents. This facilitates a better match for both pets and humans. 

Even if you just want to walk a dog, pet cats, or lend a hand in your area of expertise, the shelter welcomes your help. 

Lost Fido or Muffin? Here is another area where the Elk Grove Animal Shelter benefits the community. Hopefully, you have had your pet microchipped. If so, the shelter staff can scan the lost animal and contact you. If your lost pet is not chipped, make an appointment to come in and see if someone has found them and taken them to our local facility.

Humlie tells a happy- ending story about a cat lost for a year and a half. 

“The owners had moved to the Midwest in the meantime. A volunteer who was flying to the area where the owners lived offered to bring the cat to the Midwest airport where the overjoyed couple picked up their wandering feline.”

Are feral cats overproducing in your area? Check out the TNR (trap, neuter, release) program. The shelter has humane traps available (no animals harmed) to rent for two-week periods. Bring the feral cats in for free spay, neutering, vaccination and an ear tip, which shows these procedures have been done. Then you return the feral cat to where it was picked up.

Yes, there is a charge for scooping up your darling new pets and taking them home. Look online at elkgrovecity.org under Animal Services to find the different fees depending on what type of animal you adopt. 

Watch for special sales. If an animal is not adopted in 60 days, often the fees are waived altogether.

However, this new member of your family likely will give you hours of priceless pleasure. Your dog runs to enthusiastically greet you the minute you step in the door and will help you get lots of walking exercise. Your kitten curls up on your lap as you watch the evening news. Your mature cat purrs while being brushed.

So, what are you waiting for? Find your new love at the Elk Grove Animal Shelter, 9150 Union Park Way. 

The shelter is open from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.