Fur-ever Homes for the Holidays

Fur-ever Homes for the Holidays

Considering putting a new pet under the tree this Christmas? The need for adoptive families is definitely great at local animal shelters (the Jackson County Animal Shelter reports an overwhelming intake of 150 new animals each week), but make sure you’re ready for a lifetime commitment and the challenges of pet ownership first.

News 25’s Taylor Rubach and Payton Malone have some tips about pet adoption. Both have fallen in love with pets they met at work and later adopted.  Ollivia, a foxhound, was featured on News 25’s “Pet of the Week” segment and never made it out of the studio.

“The moment I saw her, I knew she had to come home with me. She was so timid and shy, but now over a year later she is anything but,” says News 25 Meteorologist Payton Malone. “Being a hound, she likes to let her voice be heard and there’s not a moment she isn’t talking to me or sometimes talking back to me.”

photo by Dani Bolf Photopgraphy – dbphotofilm.com

Taylor Rubach, News 25’s Evening News Anchor, met her baby “Charlie”, a border collie mix, during a photo shoot for the Jackson County Animal Shelter’s annual calendar last year.

“When she came into the studio my eyes were immediately drawn to her. Taking her home with me was probably the quickest and best decision I ever made, ” says Rubach.

“Moving to South Mississippi and starting a new life in television was an extremely emotional experience,” says Malone. ” I had to leave all my friends and family behind. After rescuing Ollivia, my mental health definitely improved. Instead of spending the holidays alone, I was spending them with my newest best friend. ”

Tip #1: If you plan to adopt a puppy or kitten, be prepared for how much energy and curiosity they have.  Make sure you have the time and energy to take them for regular walks and tire them out.

“I wasn’t really prepared for how wild she is and how exhausting she could be at times. Then I heard that Charlie had been surrendered twice, and was very upset. I kept thinking how could someone want to give her up?”

Tip #2: Be prepared to lose a few personal items.

photo by Dani Bolf Photography – dbphotofilm.com

“It’s never a dull moment with Charlie. Even though she does decide to destroy things that I need like chargers, makeup brushes and shoes… she’s still the one that loves me unconditionally, gives me extra kisses and is always down to have a dance party with me,” says Rubach.

“Ollivia has destroyed….more than I’d like to admit. Fortunately viewers of News 25 can’t see my shoes as they all have a nice touch from Ollivia. As a puppy she chewed up all my plants, and was not to fond of the Christmas tree. It spent the majority of the holiday on the ground,” laughs Malone.

Tip #3: Foster before you Adopt

photo by Dani Bolf Photography

Many local shelters offer the chance to foster pets before you officially adopt them. This gives the shelter room to take in more animals and gives you a chance to see how well the pets fit into your life before making a permanent commitment.

“Rescued pets give so much love and affection. You can see how much they truly appreciate you for getting them out of the shelter.  I have always been a believer in second chances,” says Rubach.

So what are Charlie & Ollivia getting from Santa this year?

“Aside from  a whole lot of love, Charlie will be getting tasty peanut butter treats and some new durable toys. Santa also told me that we will be getting matching accessories. A new collar for Charlie and a matching bracelet for me! Just like two BFF’s,” adds Rubach.

” My mother, or ‘Ollivia’s Grammy’ as she likes to call herself, makes a stocking for each granddog, so Ollivia will wake up with treats and toys from Santa… if she can make the Nice List.” says Malone.

Don’t miss News 25’s “Pet of the Week”, Tuesdays at noon on NBC 25 or visit wxxv25.com/pet-of-the-week and see more of Taylor and Payton on News 25 Sunday Night news every week.

LOCAL SHELTERS:

Humane Society of South Mississippi, 2615 25th Ave. Gulfport

228-863-3354

hssm.org

Jackson County Animal Shelter

4400 Audubon Lane, Gautier

228-497-6350

www.co.jackson.ms.us/150/Animal-Shelter

Hancock County Animal Shelter

7175 Texas Flat Rd, Kiln

228-466-4516

hcasms.org

Tired Dog Rescue, Gulfport

tireddogrescue.com

This story was originally printed in South Mississippi Living Magazine December 2018 issue. Available for free now at hundreds of locations across the Coast and online at smliving.net.

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