BY GAIL M. WILLIAMS
Muleshoe Journal Correspondent

As Muleshoe Chief of Police Gary McHone takes us on a video tour of the newly upgraded animal kennel, dogs can be heard barking in the background. As of Sunday, the animal kennel had six dogs available for adoption.
The kennel recently underwent renovations to improve the animals’ health and well-being, as well as the public’s convenience. A large open area is surrounded by new fencing and a new gate opens onto Ave. B.
It’s a sunny day, and the building which houses the dogs is open to let the dogs enjoy the weather as McHone steps around the space, showing the yard and the clean rock gravel in the front.
“We’ve raised the number of times a week that we disinfect for parvo and other diseases,” said Blake Parker, who works part time for Animal Control and Code Compliance. “The dogs can get out during this time, twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.”
McHone said they’re trying to get as many dogs claimed or adopted as they can, advertising the dogs’ availability on Facebook.
If the dogs are not claimed or adopted, sadly, the alternative is to have them euthanized.
“I get calls pretty frequently, trying to get us not to euthanize,” Parker said.
McHone points out that the kennel is not structured like a city animal shelter, and the city can only keep the dogs for a short amount of time.
“We try to adopt out as many as we absolutely can,” Parker said. “If they’re not adopted within seven days, we call around to area animal shelters to see if they have room for them.”
McHone said the number of dogs adopted has increased exponentially since he took office.
“Just throwing a number out, I’d say 50 to 60 percent,” McHone said. “We have standard operating procedures in place now, and we’ve hired Blake.”
Soon Parker will go full-time, working as a dispatcher in addition to his duties at Animal Control and Code Compliance. When that happens, the part-time job will open up, possibly in June or July, McHone said.
McHone gave credit to volunteers, the Public Works Department and non-profit organizations for the recent renovations and clean-up.
Pets available for adoption include a 4-5 year old bulldog mix, a Rottweiler, a Jack Russell terrier, a 4-5 year old light-colored brindle, a white-and-tan terrier mix, and a gray and blue colored pit bull mix.
The shelter is located at the corner of Ave. B and Highway 84. To learn more, volunteer, adopt or claim an animal, call the PD’s non-emergency number at 806-272-4569, or contact anyone within the police department. Pet adoption carries a $25 fee for city taxes and rabies vaccination. Visit their Facebook page and watch the video by searching Muleshoe Animal Control.