“Amber” the puppy, made quite an impression at the Ripon Public Library Tuesday afternoon before a group of parents and children.

Christina Caro and Rebekah Godfrey – both Ripon Police community service officers – organized the presentation, telling the children all about their animal “house” and the available pets there – including Amber.

Kept on a leash during the presentation, Amber was anxious to make a new friend with each child that entered the room, wagging her tail incessantly with the youngsters making their way over to her.  Lying down the puppy got a little too excited when 3-year-old Rowan Schieferstein leaned over to pet her for a third time, grabbing the hem on her dress claiming her as her new friend with the girl tugging back.  The other children gasped and laughed at seeing the puppy’s excitement.

One child asked how long the shelter would keep a dog or cat; she was told that Ripon’s shelter is unique in being able to keep the family pets much longer than other nearby shelters like Modesto and Stockton.  They still have cats that were born in March and all the while they have been looking for good homes in the community where they can place them.  It is also unique in the copper hot water heating coils running through the concrete floors of the kennels.

CSO Christina Caro noted that the animal control officers are usually always available through the shelter telephone number of 599.3146 with an answering machine that will transfer to one of their cell phone recorders for general calls.  The shelter is located at 444 Doak Boulevard on the southernmost roadway in the city. If an after-hours assistance is required for a stray, vicious dog or injured animal call the Ripon Police Department dispatch number at 599.2102.

Caro said that her best experiences at the shelter comes when she is able to adopt a cat or dog out to a good, caring family and she witnesses the happiness and excitement it brings to both the human and the animal.

The shelter is now open Saturday as well in addition to the past Monday through Friday hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  On Saturday the doors are open from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Thirteen out of the existing 20 kennels at the shelter are now filled with adoptable dogs.

There is currently a special at the shelter for those wanting to adopt a new pet.  The dogs have been reduced down to $101 for those outside the city and $106 for citizens of Ripon – the extra $5 represents the animal’s license.  Cats that are normally $70 are now reduced down to $15.  All the necessary required shots and ID chips are included, Caro said.

Librarian Melinda Koop said another presentation on the animal shelter will be offered in coming months.