At an adoption event this past Saturday, Ebert warmed the hearts of many. But, he still needs a home.
Ebert is a friendly, mellow German short-hair pointer, and one of 24 dogs and 16 cats residing at the Golden Belt Humane Society shelter. Due to this over population, the society is holding an emergency adoption fair Friday.
The fair will run from 2-7:30 p.m. at the facility, on U.S. 281 just south of Great Bend. There will be free hot dogs, bottled water and cookies.
Costs for adoptions will be $55 for dogs $20 for cats,  plus a $15 for rabies vaccines. Spay and neuter will be provided by the humane society.
 “We not only have a large number of dogs but we have lots of very nice cats and kittens to choose from,” said society Board member and volunteer Chris Klima. “This is our busy time of year and we need to keep the adoptions going to continue to make room for the dogs and cats coming in daily.”
She said the special event is also a good opportunity get people to come out to the shelter and see what the organization is all about.
In addition to this fair, the society offers daily adoptions at the shelter. It also sponsors an Adopt-a-Pet on the first Saturday of every month at Orscheln Farm and Home Store, 5320 10th in Great Bend.
At the last Adopt-a-Pet, the society found homes for eight animals. But, over the next two days, eight more came into the shelter.
“It never ends,” Klima said.
“The one question that people continue to ask me is ‘do you still put  a large number of animals to sleep?’” Klima said. “And my answer is always the same – ‘as long as we can stay ahead of things and continue to find forever homes for the animals in our shelter then we have no reason to do it.’”
She said the society has become a very low-kill shelter, but that can change in a heartbeat with an influx of pets. “That part is very hard for me to deal with. It is a very ugly alternative.”
Euthanasia is only the last resort, she said.
“Until we make the public understand the importance of keeping their pets spayed and neutered we are always going to be at risk of putting animals down,” she said “If pet owners would do their jobs then animals wouldn’t need us.”
The non-profit society receives some funds from Barton County and from grants. But, Klima said fundraisers, and donations of money and supplies are crucial.
For more information, contact the shelter at 620-792-4297.