Animal Shelter Helps 'Longtime Lovables' Find Forever Homes

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TEXAS — Einstein the dog is ready for his close-up — and a forever home.

The canine resident at the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter was recently given something of a makeover as part of a special program designed to enhance chances at adoption. The "Longtime Lovables" initiative at the shelter takes animals that have stayed a tad too long waiting to be adopted from the shelter and given something of a makeover to put their best paw forward.

Launched in the fall of 2014, the program focuses on dogs and cats who have lived at the shelter for more than 30 days. The animals are given special attention and monitored to keep health and in good spirits as they wait for their perfect family to arrive, officials explained in a press advisory.

April Peiffer and Kim de Araujo, a professional photographer, comprise the volunteer team running the program, together giving each dog reaching the 90-day milestone a photo shoot, new bio and placement on the shelter's "Longtime Lovables" Facebook page to help heighten their exposure to would-be pet owners.

Currently, there are 13 dogs still available who have exceeded their 90-day mark at the shelter. Thanks to the program, a 96 percent save rate has been achieved.

“WCRAS is my happy place.” says Peiffer, “With an unpredictable schedule, working on the Longtime Lovables project for the past four years gives me the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of the dogs who need the extra exposure, by getting to know them individually and hopefully telling their stories in a fun way that helps them get adopted. It's been my passion project with Kim, and I'm extremely proud of the work we've done.”

This week, Einstein became the 100th dog to receive the special "Longtime Lovables" treatment. In a place where kittens and puppies are quickly adopted, guys like Einstein find it a little harder to appeal to some. But now looking spiffy and handsome after the "Longtime Lovables" treatment, Einstein now awaits the humans who will adopt him and provide a forever home and secure a new leash on life.

The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is the only shelter solely devoted to the lost and abandoned animals of Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Hutto, and Williamson County, according to a press advisory. As an open-intake shelter, they take in any animal in their jurisdiction, regardless of age, breed, temperament, and medical condition, who is in need of shelter. Once at the shelter, all animals are fixed, vaccinated, micro-chipped and registered.

To preview some of the adoptable “Longtime Lovables” at Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, visit https://www.facebook.com/wcraslongtimelovables. To view all available animals, visit wilcopets.org.

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Image: Einstein, the 100th dog helped by the "Longtime Lovables" volunteers, available for adoption at the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter. Photo by: Kim de Araujo via Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter