The Examiner
2006-10-13 09:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON -

Howard Nelson is the executive director of the Washington Humane Society, the organization charged with operating the D.C. animal shelter and overseeing the District’s five-officer Humane Law Enforcement division.

The Web site, www.washhumane.org, provides information on pet adoption, pet tips, and how to report animal abuse.

How many animals are in your shelter at any given time?

Generally, there are anywhere from 75 dogs to 60 cats. We also shelter and protect all animals in the District including wildlife, small mammals such as guinea pigs and rabbits, snakes, and even fish. We’ve also had an alligator and a goat in our shelter! You name it, we’ve taken care of it.

Have you found homes for all of the animals rescued after Hurricane Katrina?

We rescued thousands of animals during Hurricane Katrina. A team of nine animal rescue professionals spent over one month saving thousands of abandoned animals. We reunited many pets with their owners, provided safe a haven for pets of displaced gulf residents, and adopted out many Hurricane Katrina pets.

How many abuse cases did you see last year, and what is the most commonly seen type of abuse?

We responded to roughly 1,600 complaints of abuse. The most common complaint is neglect involving dogs who live on chains or who do not have proper shelter.

How do you size up a person who wants to adopt a pet?

Through a friendly interview process, we find out what the potential adopter is looking for in a pet. Are they looking for a walking companion, couch potato or a jogging partner? We try and guide them toward a pet that will fit their lifestyle. Once we’ve found the perfect match, we make sure they are fully prepared and educated about what will be required to take care of the pet. Sometimes potential adopters don’t find the right match on the first visit, but that’s not a problem, because one day the right match will walk through that shelter door.