The Best Companions Come From Shelters
- Feb 13, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Welcome to Pet Talk, an occasional column about homeless pets and efforts to alleviate this growing problem. Today we’re discussing stray and abandoned pets.
To clarify, we’re referring to escaped pets or animals who have been dumped to fend for themselves—not to owners who formally surrender pets at shelters.
Back in 1998, my wife and I encountered a stray dog on the outskirts of Kalispell. Imagine this scenario: A black dog pacing back and forth on the edge of a high-speed road—with nighttime coming on!
After unsuccessfully canvassing the neighborhood, we concluded that the uncollared dog had likely been abandoned.
Unfortunately, the county shelter was closed for the day, and no Animal Control Officer was available. So, we took the frightened pup home for the night and delivered him to shelter the next morning.
By the way, a local shelter manager had the following tip for would-be rescuers: If a stray dog happens to have a collar with a license, calling the shelter can often yield an owner phone number—in which case the dog can be easily returned without having to go through the impoundment process.
Of course, social media can also be useful for communicating about stray pets. One example is the Facebook site Lost and Found Pets of Flathead Valley.
Now back to today’s story. The newly rescued pup languished in the shelter for a week—waiting in vain for an owner who would never return. So, our bleeding hearts compelled us to adopt the handsome Chow-Lab mix (a “Chabrador”).
Long story short, Mokey lived his best life for 14 more years before succumbing to old age in 2012.
Shortly afterwards, fate led us to adopt yet another abandoned black dog! In 2013, Sammy was a 6-month-old Border Collie-Lab mix (a “Borador”), and here’s his story.
The pup and several siblings were found at a roadside dumpster site and taken to the county shelter. Staff scuttlebutt suggested that these were puppy mill dogs dumped when their “Sell-By” dates had expired. Sadly, such practices are disturbingly common in the U.S.
But luckily, both pups evolved into fine companions for our family.
Today, the homeless pet problem is only expected to worsen in rapidly growing Flathead County and nationwide. So maybe you too can consider adopting and spreading the word.
By the way, many thanks to Flathead Electric Cooperative, which has made a number of donations to help homeless pets over the years!
So if you’re seeking one or more loving companions please schedule a meet-and-greet by phoning Flathead County Animal Shelter at (406) 752-1310.
And did you know about the low adoption fees and other incentives at Flathead County Animal Shelter? For example, Flathead Shelter Friends offers a Senior Pet Voucher, which pays up to $350 toward veterinary care for 7+ year-old adopted pets. For more information please contact Flathead County Animal Shelter at 406-752-1310 or visit https://flatheadcounty.gov/department-directory/animal.
Pet Talk is produced by Flathead Shelter Friends Inc., an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For more information visit www.flatheadshelterfriends.org.
Donations are always appreciated! Click here to donate!
