PAW-FECT PAIRINGS

WCRAS Launches Pet Matching Program

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

Finding a dog to join your family is such an exciting time! And, by choosing a shelter dog, you are literally saving a life. What could make this even better? A simple way to make it all happen. That’s where the Wilco Regional Animal Shelter’s Best Match program comes in. Adopters can meet available candidates, chat with a caretaker, visit with potential matches in person or virtually, and receive help with the paperwork. “Using the Best Match system focuses on compatibility between you and our dogs,” Shelter Community Programs Coordinator April Peiffer says. “We know you want a match that’s for keeps! Let us introduce you to your favorites in one of our play yards. We want to help you create a meeting for the memory books.”

The program just started recently, but she expects it to benefit all involved – the adopter, the dogs, and the shelter. “We anticipate people will find this program to be of great help when selecting their new family member because it is a means to learn which pup at the shelter is good with other dogs, may do well with cats, enjoys the company of kids, and would make an outstanding companion in apartment life,” April says.

The shelter has also introduced out-of-area adoptions in conjunction with the Best Match program, which allows people anywhere in the country to meet an adoptable dog virtually. If it’s a match, staff will help arrange transportation.

Lend A Hand

Start your journey to finding the perfect pet match by visiting the shelter’s Dog Adoption page and looking through the lists of dogs that do well with dogs, cats, kids, and in apartment life – characteristics staff are frequently asked about. Click on the dogs’ photos to learn more about them and email adoption@wilco.org to chat with a caretaker about each dog. Finally, schedule an appointment to come and meet your chosen doggo in one of the shelter's play yards, and if it is a match, you can adopt!

To learn more about the program, visit pets.wilco.org/Adopt/Dog-Adoptions.