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News

Animal health technology pets up for adoption

Rebekah Hammond - Science & Tech Editor

It's that time of year at TRU again; students and community members looking for a furry friend can adopt their new best pal from the animal health technology.

At the end of every semester, the AHT program finds good homes for all the cats and dogs they've worked with.

"It's in the animal's best interest and our best interest," said Robina Manfield, an AHT instructor. "The students love to see them adopted before they leave the program for the summer. We try to get [the animals] all adopted before [the students'] final exams are completed."

As of March 22, TRU students and the general public can make an appointment to choose a pet.

"It's super fun to see as these animals go to homes because we've sort of followed them through coming in and working with them," said Pnina Ironi, a first-year AHT student. "Seeing them go to homes is really important to us and it's really fulfilling."

Sometimes it's hard for students to part with the animals they've worked with and gotten to know throughout the semester though.

AHT students have first choice in adopting their favorite canine or feline charges they've become fond of throughout the term.

"You definitely get attached and it's hard to see them go," Ironi said. "If you're really attached you can take them home yourself."

Ironi adopted a dog she worked with last semester,"I love him. He's great."

The program believes in matching the animals with the best home environment they can. They also want to see families getting a pet that best suits them, so all pet adoptions start with an appointment.

First and second-year students meet with the prospective owners asking them about their pet history and what kind of pet they're looking for. The program wants to know the pet will be going to a safe environment.

"We're asking what kind of home environment it's going to have," Manfield said. "Is it going to be a part of the family, or is it going to be tied to a tree outside? That's not a kind of environment we'd send any of our animals to."

Likewise, they want to make sure the cat or dog is right for the family.

"We do spend a lot of time with the animals that come through here, unlike other adoption agencies, we have them for a good amount of time," said Alysha Elsby, a second-year AHT student. "We learn a lot about them, so we're probably the best authority in regards to the home they go to because we do know them the best."

"An advantage is that we know all their little quirks and if they have any behavioral issues, then we can tell people about that, so they know that in advance if they're willing to work with it," Manfield said.

Currently, there are 10 dogs and 16 cats available for adoption. The youngest animal is Bowser, a seven-month lab-cross.

Profiles with pictures and a description of each animal is available on the AHT website: www.tru.ca/science/aht/adoptions.

All the animals are kept at the facilities until a home is found for them.

"The sooner we can get them into their forever homes, the better," Manfield said. "They've been in unstable environments, they've come from the pound or the SPCA, so they have that instability their life and it's nice to get them into the security of the family home as soon as possible."