Finding'fur-ever' friends

COEUR d’ALENE — Christina Tucker of Coeur d'Alene and her new pup, a 1-year-old hound and mastiff mix named Kevin, were both smiling as Tucker filled out adoption papers Sunday afternoon.

Tucker adopted Kevin from Shoshone Pet Rescue during the fifth annual Pet Adoption Day at Parker Subaru.

Chris Leonard, general manager of Parker Subaru, said each year they adopt out several animals and the dealership pays half of every adoption fee.

"We try and do everything we can to support the community and have community involvement," Leonard said. "It's a neat event. It's good for the pets and good for the people getting the pets."

Leonard welcomed a new "granddaughter" Sunday when his son adopted an 8-month-old black lab and great dane mix named Bella. Nick and Dani Leonard said they came to the event with an "open mind."

"We didn't know if we were really expecting to get a dog, but if there was a puppy here, then that's kind of what we were looking for," Nick said.

Although Bella is only 8 months old, she was bigger than most of the other dogs at the event.

Bella was adopted from Hopes Haven Animal Shelter, based in St. Maries. Debbie Rimel, manager of Hopes Haven, said it was the first time they attended the event.

"I think it's phenomenal," Rimel said. "The amount of people who have come out to support this — it's really overwhelming."

Double J Dog Ranch attended the event for the third time with three special needs dogs. Theresa Upton from Double J, located in Hauser, said the shelter only takes in dogs with special needs.

"It's rewarding," Upton said about working with the special needs pups. "Especially to know that all these dogs you see here are throw-away dogs ... we are lucky enough to get them."

For Sunday’s event they brought 1-year-old Vern, a white Australian shepherd and pitbull mix. Vern is deaf, but Upton said he "doesn't even know it." Ukiah, an 18-month-old Australian shepherd and border collie mix, and an older dachshund named Eunice, are also deaf and vision impaired. She said their needs often require special training, which is done through hand and touch signals.

Two of the dogs were adopted Sunday, but because all the dogs at Double J are special needs, Upton said they do not allow same-day adoptions.

"It's all about the dogs," she said.

Four adult cats lazily accepted attention as they sat in their cages watching people pass by. Representatives from the Spokane Humane Society, a shelter that attends the event each year, had brought five adult cats and one was adopted right away. The event was scheduled from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and by noon, at least one animal from each of the four shelters had been adopted.

While the Spokane Humane Society brought the adult cats, Kootenai Humane Society brought three kittens. KHS also attends the event each year and board member Sally Ellingsen said it is a "great event."

"It seems to bring out a lot of the public to see what's showcased, not only the animals, but the different organizations that are around," Ellingsen said.