As an added incentive to potential adopters, the Madison County Animal Shelter has reduced its $45 adoption fee by half for the month.

The staff has some concern that the adoption rate will not be as high this holiday season because of the lingering economic problems, according to Madison County Animal Control Officer Greg Cave.

“This (holiday season) probably won’t be as good (as last year’s) due to the economy,” Cave said. “We hope for (a) high adoption rate. (It currently) is averaging (around) 10 dogs, 10 cats a month – September slowed down, but (adoptions) picked back up in October for dogs.”

With Christmas almost here and gifts on the minds of many Madison County children,  the latest technical gadget or video game may not be the only solution. The staff of the animal shelter in Madison reminds people that when handled correctly a new pet can enrich a family’s, or a person’s, holiday. “Bringing in a pet into the family is a good thing,” Cave said. “To see the kids come into the shelter and their eyes light up – having a pet in the family is a good thing.”

However, he also recommends using care in choosing any new pet. The shelter does not always see an upturn in animals being dropped of after the holidays, and he said shelter workers try to prevent it happening.

Madison’s shelter uses a “temperamental test” to try and match potential adopters with new pets before they go home to avoid problems. The shelter suggests that taking in a new pet during the holidays is not a problem if the personality of pet and the adopter, or adopter’s family, complement each other.

“You want to try to get the animal that fits the person,” Cave said. “Don’t get something that you know won’t work out – (you) wouldn’t get a hyper-active Jack Russell (terrier) for an older person – an older person would typically like a (calmer) dog. It’s just like any other gift – you would want to know the person and talk to the staff about the animal’s behavior.”

The shelter officials focus on matching the temperament of the people and the animals as it can make the situation easier to handle. He also said that, though the number of adoptions is not high, the number of animals left at the shelter by people hurt by the current economy has slowed.  “I think it’s going to be different (this year) because of the economy,” Cave said. “But, last year we (did) pretty good for December and February, for Valentines Day. – Everyone loves puppies and kittens.”

The shelter is currently operating at about half of its capacity, which means that at the beginning of December it had 21 cats and 29 dogs – all the animals are of varying ages. “We’re just hoping (people) come in and get the puppies,” said Madison County Animal Control Officer Becky Cromwell. “(All the animals) are looking for loving homes.” The animal shelter is at 4590 Shelby Road (Route 662) and is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday.