If you like and care about animals like I do, then you'll appreciate our new Humane society and animal shelter combination here in Wichita Kansas. The new state of the art building is modern, attractive and inviting, unlike the old animal shelter that was downright scary with it's twin smokestacks spewing what we hate to think about ominously into the sky.
The two are now combined in the same area to better care for lost and homeless pets. Best described as large, Clean and very accommodating with central heat and air. The animals are kept very comfortable indeed as they await their owners to claim them or to be adopted into a new home.
The animals themselves have it much better. The cats and kittens reside in what are affectionately referred to as "Kitty Condos". Roomy "homes" with lots of stuff to climb on and play with.
The dogs have large show rooms where potential owners can browse and interact with mans best friend. Their is always an experienced attendant on hand in case needed. It is even recommended to bring in any pets you already have to see if they'll get along with their new Friends
If you've ever been to an animal shelter before you will immediately recognize all the care and love that went into building this one. Truly one of a kind.
While the critters on the animal shelter side don't have it quite as good, 
the area is kept clean and they are well fed and cared for. Many of these animals are claimed and taken home where they belong. A lot of the rest that aren't claimed are slated for transfer over to the humane society for adoption.
Unfortunately, mostly because of irresponsible people, some have to be killed. The way the professional and caring staff here handles it is much as if you were taking your pet to the vet to be "put to sleep". Kept comfortable and shown affection as a shot is administered puts the animal to sleep painlessly. No one 
likes this part, but kudos to the staff for their caring attention to a bad problem.
In the back, out of the public eye are the dog runs where most of the animals are kept. Don't worry, not to hide them for any reason, they just need the room.
Up front in the viewing areas it's like a hotel at the Humane society, with glassed in rooms so you can easily see the array of lost animals to choose from, and there are a lot, way to many.
The staff works hard caring for the lost pets, making them comfortable during their stay and getting them out to new homes as quick as they can. A surprisingly amount of these animals are taken home by families, but their are still way to many out on the streets. HUMAN society should take care and be more humane about having your animals spayed and nurtured.
Wichita is only one of a handful of cities in the country that has taken the initiative to build one of these modern facilities and develop programs to better care for homeless pets. The goal is, through education and community involvement, to sometime in the near future not to have to put any animals down.
Officials from the city and the humane society traveled around the country exploring some of the most cutting edge technologies in care and adoption techniques. Ours is modeled after the programs from Wisconsin and San Diego CA.
Wichita's new and greatly improved solution to the abandoned and stray pet problem is another example of how progressive a city Wichita is. Progressive and modern yet still down-home and friendly.
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