Did you know the animals in Madison College’s Vet Tech program are adoptable? Those involved with the program partner with local and in-state shelters to provide a variety of services to all our furry friends, and when the program ends, students are free to take them home if they so choose.  

Kelly Howard coordinates what she calls “the swapping between shelters” and oversees much of the program’s activities. According to her, a new group of animals is brought in every semester and used to teach Vet Tech students what to expect in their future careers. Many of the animals’ needs are taken care of by these students, including dental cleanings and neutering. 

“They used to stay for the entire semester,” Howard says, “But that was before COVID. Now they stay for however long they have to, and when they’re ready to either go back home or back to the shelter, a new batch is sent to us. It’s a constant cycle, but that’s a good thing. Much of what we do here is stuff the shelter or pet owners would have to pay for.”  

The Vet Tech program partners with shelters to help animals in need and try to find them a good home. Shelters are filling back up again, and it’s become harder for older animals to get adopted. Howard says that her goal is to see as many animals as possible and not have to return to the shelters.  

Requirements and limitations for adopting these animals will vary depending on the shelter they originate from, but Howard explains that the process is simple. “It’s basically what you would expect: contacting landlords for permission to take the animal in, paying adoption fees, stuff like that. But if someone already has dogs and is planning on adopting another, I always require a meeting between the dogs first before sending them home to make sure they all get along.”  

Multiple animals are available for adoption right now. If you’re at all interested in seeing what cats and dogs need a new home, contact [email protected].