Friends of the Animal Shelter

An Organization Devoted to the Improvement of Animal Life!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the shelter located?

Well, it’s not quite there yet, but we’re in the process of building at Hwy 101 N. Look to your left after you pass the Armory and the Assembly of God church. We are hoping to finish the building by the end of 2011. Watch for our dedication and grand opening.

Who owns and manages the new shelter?

The former shelter was owned and operated by the city of Redwood Falls while Friends of the Animal Shelter assisted and enhanced operation of the shelter. The new shelter will be owned and operated by Friends of the Animal Shelter, an independent non-profit (501c3) corporation. The city of Redwood Falls and other entities will contract with Friends of the Animal Shelter to impound their lost and stray animals. After the impound period the animals will become the property of Friends of the Animal Shelter to find new homes for those who are suitable for adoption.

Will I have to pay to adopt a pet from Friends of the Animal Shelter?

Shelters are expensive to run. Besides the cost of feeding the animals, bathing and grooming, cleaning supplies etc., we are responsible for heat, electricity, building maintenance, snow removal, etc., and adoptions will be our most important source of income. We will rely heavily on volunteer help, but we will need a certain amount of paid employee time to organize and manage the operations of the shelter. Prices for animals will vary depending on adoptability; breed, size, training, age, and even color can affect how easily we can find a home for an animal.

What animals will be welcomed at the shelter?

Our main clients will be dogs and cats, but rabbits, hamsters, birds and other domestic pets are welcome. We may also be able to find temporary foster homes for others such as goats.

Will any animals that come to the shelter be euthanized?

It is inevitable that some animals that come to the shelter will be unadoptable because of temperament or severe injury or illness and may be euthanized, but if you will help us, every effort will be made to find an animal a loving, permanent home. Pet Finders on the internet, other rescue groups, and special adoption events are immensely helpful in helping place animals, but word of mouth is also very important. Check out our website often and encourage your friends to do the same.


What should I do if I am aware of an animal cruelty or neglect situation?

Cruelty or neglect of an animal violates Minnesota state law, and, as with any law, it’s the duty of police and sheriff’s departments to enforce these laws. If you have questions about what constitutes cruelty or neglect, how to report etc., we may be able to answer your questions.

Could I offer you some help?

You bet; thank you for asking! Here are a few ways.


Running our own shelter is a new---and scary---venture for us. We will be learning from other shelters and organizations, feeling our way toward policies and practices that are the most beneficial to the animals that need our help. We welcome suggestions that will help us do that.


How Do I Adopt a Pet

The Friends of the Animal are extremely pleased that you have decide to look into adopting one of our animals. To adopt a pet from the Redwood Area Animal Shelter, send  or   an email at @friendsoftheanimalshelter.com and arrange for either of them to meet you there. You may call: 507.627.7456 for more information.

The Redwood Area Animal Shelter charges a small fee for each dog and cat adopted. The money paid for the pet is used for the purchase of food, cleaning supplies, and some shots.

Congratulations!
So you've ta the plunge and adopted a pet of your own. Great! But what do you do now? No doubt you're excited and looking forward to forging a lifelong friendship with your new buddy. But try to keep in mind the confusion he is feeling right now. Whatever his past history, coming home with you is a new experience. He is likely to be a little disoriented, wondering where he is and who all these new people are.

The key to helping your new pet make a successful adjustment to your home is being prepared and being patient. It can take anywhere from two days to two months for you and your pet to adjust to each other.

Supplies
Prepare the things your pet will need in advance. You'll need a collar and leash ( dog), food and water bowls,and, of course, some toys. And don't forget to order an identification tag right away.

Welcome Home
Try to arrange the arrival of your new pet for a weed or when you can be home for a few days. Get to know each other and spend some quality time together. Don't forget the jealousy factor—make sure you don't neglect other pets and people in your household!

Health Care
Take your new dog to the veterinarian within a week after adoption. With every pet adopted the Redwood Veterinarian provides an examination free of charge Free wellness examinations for each animal  Free new pet start up kit, which contains free merchandise and coupons. 

House Rules (Dog)
Work out your dog-care regimen in advance among the human members of your household. Who will walk the dog first thing in the morning? Who will feed him at night? Will Fido be allowed on the couch, or won't he? Where will he rest at night? Are there any rooms in the house that are off-limits?

Training and Discipline (Dog)
Dogs need order. Remember, they are pack animals, so make yourself the "pack leader." Let your pet know from the start who is the boss. When you catch him doing something he shouldn't, don't lose your cool. Stay calm, and let him know immediately, in a loud and disapproving voice, that he has misbehaved. Reward him with praise when he does well, too! Sign up for a local dog obedience class, and you'll learn what a joy it is to have a well-trained dog.

Housetraining (Dog)
Assume your new dog is not housetrained, and work from there. Read over the housetraining information given to you at the time of adoption. Be consistent, and maintain a routine. A little extra effort on your part to come home straight from work each day will pay off in easier, faster housetraining.

Crating (Dog)
A crate may look to you like the canine equivalent of a jail cell, but to your dog, who instinctively likes to den, it's a room of his own. It makes housetraining and obedience-training easier and saves your dog from the headache of being yelled at unnecessarily for problem behavior. Of course, you won't want to crate your dog all day or all night, or he will consider it a jail cell. Just a few, regular hours a day (but no more than four hours at a time) should be sufficient. The crate should not contain wire where his collar or paws can get caught, and should be roomy enough to allow your dog to stand up, turn around, and sit comfortably in normal posture.

If you still can't face the idea of a crate, at the very least consider some sort of confinement to a dog-proofed part of your home. A portion of the kitchen or family room can serve the purpose very well. (A baby gate works perfectly.)

Let the Games Begin
Dogs need an active life. That means you should plan plenty of exercise and game time for your pet. Enjoy jogging or Frisbee? You can bet your dog will, too. If running around the park is too energetic for your taste, try throwing a ball or a stick, or just going for a long walk together. When you take a drive in the country or visit family and friends, bring your dog and a leash along.

A Friend for Life
Finally, be reasonable in your expectations. Life with you is a different experience for your new companion, so give him time to adjust. You'll soon find out that you've made a friend for life. No one will ever greet you with as much enthusiasm or provide you with as much unqualified love and loyalty as your dog will. Be patient, and you will be amply rewarded.