• Spay and Neuter Assistance
• Microchipping
• Pet Surrender
• Want List
• Pet burial and Cremation
• Pet Therapy
• Humane Education

Spay and Neuter Assistance

The Souris Valley Animal Shelter is committed to reducing the pet overpopulation problem and helping pet owners do what’s best for their pets through mandatory spay/neuter policies upon pet adoptions. The SVAS offers a $20 certificate to help offset the cost of procedure. Many potential adopters don’t want to spay or neuter their pet for a variety of reasons; however, according to research altered pets are healthier, happier and possess a more relaxed temperament. What’s more, 2 dogs and their offspring can produce more than 60,000 puppies in 6 years, and 2 cats and their offspring can produce more than 240,000 kittens in 7 years. So when potential adopters argue or promise that all their puppies or kittens will find great homes, the SVAS asks, who will guarantee that promise for the thousands and thousands of others that are certain to follow. Consequently, there are absolutely no exceptions to the spay and neuter policies.

All surgeries require an appointment, therefore, the SVAS suggests spay/neuter appointments are made well in advance. For your convenience, the following list is provided:

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Microchipping

The SVAS provides a micro-chip at the time of adoption. In addition, the SVAS offers this service to the public at of cost stated below. Micro-chips are an immunization against homelessness.

A micro-chip, the size of a grain of rice, is injected under the animal's skin between the shoulder blades. Each chip has a unique number that is registered with a national database along with the pet owner's address and phone number. The microchip can be read by scanners that are currently used by most animal organizations and veterinary clinics.
Fees

Micro-chipping of a National Chip System, including national registration, costs $25.00 for one animal, two or more costs $20 per animal.

On the other hand, micro-chipping of an International Chip System, which also includes national registration, costs $60 per animal. Please note that some companies have recently started using the International Chip System, which uses an International Standards Organization (ISO) compliant micro-chip, new in the United States, but widely used across Europe and Canada. If you wish to implant an ISO chip, please notify us beforehand since ISO chips are a special order item and can take up to 2 weeks to receive.

At SVAS, we have both ISO and non-ISO scanners.

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Pet Surrender

Giving up a pet is one of the hardest decisions one can make; however, surrender times are based on availability of space and the number of animals on the waiting list; at any given time, more than 200 animals are waiting for surrender. Unfortunately, it takes between 6 months and 1 year to surrender an animal. Please call us at 701.852.6133 to begin the process and ask about other ways we can help while you’re waiting for surrender.

You can download the release forms for cats and dogs here. Please follow instructions on these forms. This does not replace the phone call…the phone call begins the process.

Surrender Fees
1st animal: $30.00
Each additional animal: $10.00
Maximum of: $50.00

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Want List

Deciding what type of pet is best for your family takes homework and planning. Hence, the more you know before you adopt, in many cases, makes adoption a smoother transition. This applies to all aspects, from selecting the breed to deciding where the pet will be housed in case of emergencies or relocations. The SVAS strongly recommends potential adopters spend plenty of time researching before finalizing any decision. Remember, when adopting, you’re giving the gift of life. Visit http://www.petfinder.com/ to help with this lifelong decision. Once you decide, visit our pets online and if we don’t have the perfect match, please take a few minutes to fill out our Want Form (you can either email it to us or drop it off at the shelter when you visit), and the SVAS will contact you with the perfect match.

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Burial and Cremation
The death of a cherished pet is a heartbreaking experience. SVAS offers quality pet burial and cremation services for people seeking a dignified alternative for their beloved pet’s remains. Our experienced and professional service includes a couple of cremation options and a variety of attractive urns.

Burial Information
All caskets and markers must be approved by SVAS if not purchased through the cemetery. Pet owners are not purchasing a plot of ground, but are paying for the privilege of having their pet interred in the cemetery plot. All flower arrangements will be kept for a time frame of no longer then 30 days. Pet owners are responsible for weatherizing any permanent ornaments they may put on their pet’s grave.

Burial Services Rates
The rates for burial of a pet may vary from $180 to $190. 

Cremation options
Individual: This service gives the pet complete privacy in the cremation chamber. All ashes are gathered up and carefully packaged for return to the owner.
Group: This service is for clients who do not wish to retain their pet’s remains, but still wish to ensure that their deceased pet is treated in a dignified manner.

How to cremate your beloved pet
You may bring your beloved pet to the SVAS during regular shelter hours. The SVAS is open Tuesday – Friday: 1pm - 6pm and on Saturday 11am - 5pm.

Please leave your beloved pet in the vehicle when requesting assistance at the front desk. Our staff will make special arrangements for your pet and meet you and your pet at the side entrance for more discretion and privacy.

Cremation Services Rates
Group Cremation for Field Burial:
*Remains are not returned to the owner. The owner will receive an acknowledgment card indicating that their pet has received a field burial in our pet cemetery.

    
Individual Cremation:
*Remains are returned to owner in a temporary urn

Urns
We have a variety of beautiful urns to specially order…You can view them all, below. To place an order, please stop by the shelter.

Framed Photo Urn K9 Cottage Series Tower Photo Tower Graphic Wood Traditional Hardwood Photo Medallion Wood Simply Oak Precious Kitty Faithful Feline Figurine Rock Vase Series Decorative Brass Paw Print Huggable Keepsake Teddy Bear Glass Keepsake Crystal Paw Keepsake Custom Fused Glass Pendants

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Pet Therapy
The Pet Therapy Program SVAS offers brings the uniquely healing human/animal bond to patients of hospitals and senior citizen homes in Minot. The success of this program is attributed to dedicated volunteers who donate their time to visiting with the residents of care facilities, hoping to bring a smile to someone’s face with the help of something that we all cherish--the companionship of animals.

In order to qualify for the Pet Therapy program, you must be a Souris Valley Animal Shelter volunteer. If you have any questions about the program, please call Susan at 701.839.6770.

Below is the Pet Therapy Schedule for November 2010:

Manor Care	Nov 20	11:00 p.m.
Edgewood Vista	Nov 6	1:00 a.m.
Emerald Ct	Nov 13	11:00 p.m.
Somerset	Nov 20	1:00 p.m.

Souris Valley Humane Society is once again busy in the schools with the Humane Education Program. The purpose of this vital program is to educate children on the importance of responsible pet ownership. Various areas of pet care are discussed including veterinary care, feeding, grooming, bedding, exercising, dangers in your home and loving your pet.

This year’s program was tailored to involve the children more in the discussions. A puzzle was created with each puzzle piece representing the different areas of owning a pet. Each piece is held up and I ask the children to tell me about it. I'm pleased with the knowledge these children already have and it's fun to fill in the gaps with information. It's turned out to be a wonderful way to involve all of the children; they were eager to talk about what they knew!

We're traveling from Max to Granville to Turtle Lake and many of the Minot Elementary Schools. So far we have had a spectacular time!! Not only is this a fun and educational program for the students but a fabulous time for me, as well as the pet I take!! Thanks!! Susan


2011 Humane Education School Schedule

Schools Visited in 2010

Schools Visited in 2009

Schools Visited in 2008

Schools Visited in 2007

Ask Susan A Question


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