BATAVIA, Ohio — The Clermont County Animal Shelter has cut its adoption fee for adult dogs to $60 through Sept. 5, an effort the shelter says is aimed at finding homes for longer-term residents like Zazu, a dog pulled from a cruelty case in April who is still waiting to be adopted.
Zazu and three other dogs were removed from a property in April after they were found living in a shed with almost no access to the outdoors, the shelter said in a Facebook post. The shelter did not identify the property or say whether charges were filed in the case.
Since his rescue, Zazu has been undergoing treatment for heartworm disease, a mosquito-borne parasitic infection that requires months of care. According to the American Heartworm Society, dogs undergoing the standard treatment protocol receive an antibiotic to kill bacteria associated with the parasite, followed by a series of injections to eliminate the worms, then a lengthy rest period, since physical exertion during recovery can be dangerous. The full process, including follow-up testing to confirm the infection is gone, typically spans several months.
The shelter described Zazu, now 5 years old, as sociable and easygoing despite his history, saying he is good with people and with other friendly dogs. He is nearing the end of his heartworm treatment, according to the shelter.
The Clermont County Animal Shelter, at 4025 Filager Road in Batavia, is a public, no-kill facility that takes in roughly 800 dogs a year, according to the county. Its stated mission includes reuniting lost pets with owners, reducing the number of homeless dogs in the county and providing adoption services.
The reduced $60 fee applies to dogs age 1 and older through Sept. 5. Normal adoption fees for adult dogs otherwise run $120, according to the shelter. Prospective adopters can apply online at clermontcountyohio.gov/animal-shelter or visit the shelter in person; it is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Clermont County Animal Shelter.