Adopted: May 2010.

As a school teacher, I wanted to have something to come home to, where I didn’t have to think about work, something that would greet me with much love and affection. That’s when my husband and I came to the shelter in March 2010. As we scanned the kennels of both the shelter and stray side, our eyes were locked on one cute little puppy. We thought for sure we’d be able to handle raising a puppy, but as fate would have it, he was adopted before we had a chance. Luckily, our second choice was the one who “saved” us. We spent almost every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning walking dogs, and would always save our last walks for O’Shea. We now are official “homeowners,” and O’Shea has met many new friends in the area. Everywhere we walk, people are astounded to see such a fit, lean, healthy looking dog. We love him, he is our baby!

Update from owner:

We adopted Hines (formerly Scruffy) April 30, 2011. We’ve had him 4 months now. We didn’t know what to expect as he had been at the shelter for 4 months and didn’t know his past situation.  He is gentle, sweet and very loving yet sometimes a bit timid.  He has done well being an outdoor dog.  We had the summer to spend time with him, taking him for walks (the Gentle Leader has made a world of difference) and sitting with him on the deck.  We have a pond a very short distance from our house and on the very hot humid days when neither of us felt like walking, we’d go there so he could cool off.  He even found a turtle that the kids and I got to witness lay her eggs! He likes to be part of our family – as he “cried” when the bus picked up the kids the first day of school. New neighbors moved in a month ago, they have 3 girls aged 2-7 and they love to play with him too.  He enjoys the sand pile the kids haven’t used in a few years and is very proud to run next to my daughter in the yard. We’ve not found a toy he is interested in yet, but when we pick up the fallen apples in the yard he thinks it is a treat to get one in his mouth to carry around then bury in the sand pile…? He would love to play with our indoor cats when they go out but they aren’t interested in him. He does “hound” every once in a while at night as we have rabbits, squirrels, and Chet – a stray cat befriended by the former neighbors that catch his attention. Hines is a good boy and we tell him that often. We love him and are glad HE PICKED US when we visited the Humane Society. :)  The Johnson Family

Name: Charlie
Adopted: April 2011
Updated from owner: Doug and Donna adopted Charlie, a black lab mix from the HSNI shelter 5 months ago. He was originally from the stray shelter side.
Charlie is now a camper and ALWAYS goes on the family
get aways. He recently was even invited over for the neighbors barbecue and was the life of the party. He has proven to be an ideal dog who doesn’t need a leash or a cage and has earned full range of the house, backyard, and of course the tent. Here he is on his first official camping trip and hes off sight seeing.

Adopted:  January 2011

Update from owner:  As you can see from the photos, Thor is very special to us and very spoiled!  We can’t imagine our life without him!

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Name: Sadie
Adopted: August 2011

Update from owner: In August, 2011, we found Sadie on Petfinders.com at the Humane Society of North Iowa and fell in love with her. We were lucky enough to be selected as her new “forever” family and drove from Minnesota to Iowa to meet her and take her home.

Just wanted to let you know that she has adapted well and loves to race in her new backyard, chew her raw-hides, and nap in the King sized bed.

She likes to watch the neighborhood kids get on the school bus and gets very excited by pickup trucks…old memories, we suspect.

We love having her in our lives and wanted to thank all of you for your help in making this happen.

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Adopted by: Theresa and Michael
Update from owner:  He runs the house and Loves to drink from the faucet.  He has 4000 square feet and has decided that our bedroom is his favorite spot. He has a fetish about clothes mainly socks makes weird sounds and runs away to hide in his stash.  Funny cat that makes my wife very happy.

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Name: Versache
Adopted: October 2011
Update from owner:

Happy Holidays from Versache! I adopted Versache in October 2011 and she has been great! She is my best friend and a friend to everyone we meet. I live on a college campus and she is Miss Popular and the students love seeing her walk around campus and come to visit her all the time at home. She has attended a couple of Pet Therapy Days on campus where she is a hit and gets lots of love from hundreds of students. Versache also loves snuggling up and sleeping on my pillows every night. She is definitely a spoiled girl, but she deserves it. This photo was taken at the Cedar Valley Humane Society Open House where Versache had a chance to mingle among many new friends (both 2-legged and 4-legged). Since I’ve had her we have really worked loose leash walking and more training commands – our goal for 2012 is to pass the Canine Good Citizen test! Thank you HSNI! – Jill & Versache

Hey Humane Society!

It’s been a while since we adopted our dog Lucky, so I figure an update is long over due. She is doing FANTASTIC at our house and we absolutely love her. She has gained some weight and has transitioned well to our busy life. Lucky and her sister Shandy have become the best of friends too. I am so glad that we made the decision to go to a two dog household! Lucky is the most snuggly, affectionate and easy going dog we have ever had in our family. She is smart too. She has learned how to sit, stay and roll over. We are very lucky to have found her! Thank you to everyone at the shelter for all you do. Hope you enjoy the pics.

Sincerely,
Katie

Name: JoJo
Adopted: September 2011
Update from family:
JoJo has been a joy to have as part of our family. She is such a smart and obedient girl. JoJo has a feline brother named Zeke, they are perfect together! Their favorite thing to do together is chase the laser light. Jo also has a 2 year old human sister that just absolutely adores her. She learned how to sit, lay down, roll over, and wait, all in the first month of being apart of our family. She is also very respectfull. She happily accepts her place as she follows us up the stairs, to the Jeep, and pretty much anywhere else where she is welcomed. She has her own chair, and knows to stay off of the “soft leather” furniture. She doesnt steal or chew things that dont belong to her, and to our amazement she has never made a mess in her kennel during the day. Jo loves her ball, tug of war, and most of all, going for Jeep rides. She has traveled all over the state in the last year, and even made a trip to meet family in Kansas.

Name:  Abby
Adopted: Spring 2012
Update from owner:  Abby is doing just fine.  We are amazed at her adjustment to her new surroundings.  When we first brought her home she seemed to be slow.  A visit to Dr. Dan Smith in Albert Lea proved very helpful. Abby needed extensive teeth cleaning and had 2 upper rear molars removed.  The results were almost instant!  Her energy level is up and she takes us for two to four walks a day. She loves running around the Worth County Fairgrounds!

Name: Chloe

Adopted: Spring 2012
Update from owners:  Greetings, folks!  Not too long ago, we adopted a cuddly kitty named Chloe, and we just wanted you to know she is indeed a very important part of our family now, and as a matter of fact, pretty much rules the roost!  She is adorable, “talkative”, and follows us around like a little puppy.  We built her a “kitty condo” right off the bat, and she loves laying on the highest level, looking out the window and seeing all the bird activity in the back yard (we have a couple of bird feeders out there).  She is doing great, we treasure this kitty cat, and I think she is having an absolute blast here!  Lots of toys, kitty treats, and healty food, too.  Bless you all for the wonderful work you do!!

Carl and Joanne 

Name: Tater Tot
Adopted: January 2012
Update from owner:  We adopted Zack in late January 2012.  Since then he has been renamed Tater Tot by my husband since he is so cute and tiny.

Name:  Bailey
Adopted: April 2012
Update from owner:
We thought it was time to give you an up-date on how you changed our lives on April 3, 2012.  Our Shipoo, Bailey, has been such a blessing.  He settled nicely into our home and has become a treasured part of our family.

He is such a smart little guy.  I hung a bell on the back door so that when he wanted to go out he could ring the bell.  Two days after I hung the bell and showed him, he rang the bell.  I got up from the chair and walked to the door and there he was looking at me.  He doesn’t need that bell anymore though because of the new doggy door.  He can easily go through  the newly installed doggy door in the house door into the garage and out the doggy door in the garage.  He loves running around in the fenced in yard.  He runs and leaps like a deer.  He makes us laugh.   We have also added gates to the porch on our house so he can go out on the porch when we leave the door open.  He definitely is one spoiled dog but one well behaved dog.

He had his first grooming with Rhonda in Rock Falls last Friday.  I like his hair a little longer but he still is a cutie.  He didn’t like her using the electric clipper around his face and he let her know that.  He tried to nip her.  She tapped his nose and told him no and he listened.  She had to use a scissors around his face.  I am hoping that he will get better about that.  I am working with him at home.  I wash around his eyes everyday and brush/comb his hair in hopes that he will get use to someone touching his face and that his fear will dissolve.

He has tons of toys but his favorite is his orange rubber squeaky bone.  He also absolutely loves his beef bully sticks.  I found those by chance at Walmart and it was a great find for him.

Bailey sleeps with us every night in our bed, takes walks with us and goes on many of our road trips into town.  He isn’t a fan of being left in the house when we go.  He has free run of the house when we are gone, no kennel for him.  He is 100% house broke.  He also goes to Mpls. when we visit my 91 year old dad and he loves my dad.  He spent most of his time snuggling on my dad’s chair with him.  It was so heart warming.  The elderly people that live in the Assisted Living home with my dad really enjoy petting Bailey also.  He is so gentle with them.

Thank you again for choosing us.  You have richly blessed our lives.  We both love this little guy like crazy.

John and Sue

Jager (formerly Brownie)

Jager and Daisy

Adopted: February 2012
Updated from owner:
Wanted to send you some recent pictures of Jager (aka. Brownie) he is doing so well, happy and one BIG goof ball!!!

Thanks again for all that you guys do!!!!

Jamie

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Name: Sassy
Adopted: August 2011
Update from owner: We adopted Sassy on August 23rd of 2011. She celebrated her 1st birthday on June 18th which was also our 1 year wedding anniversary. We could not imagine our lives without her!

Thanks!

Ashley

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Name: Chaz
Adopted: September 2011
Update from owner: We have been meaning to email you since September when you were so kind to let Charlie (formerly Chaz) come home with us to Brooklyn, NY. Charlie misses you all and talks kindly about his time at the Humane Society – we hope to come and visit soon over the holidays!

We wanted to send you a few photos of Charlie enjoying his time in NY to show you how happy and well he is doing, thanks to your saving him and helping find a good home.

All the best!
Charlie (and Jackie & Patrick)

Name: Sophie (formerly Kya)
Adopted: June 2012
Update from owners: It’s been a week since we adopted Kya (now known as Sophie) and she has truly been a blessed addition to our home! She quickly learned the layout of our house and loves taking naps on her new favorite plush blanket (see attached photo J). She loves to go for walks in the park next door to our house and riding anywhere with us in the car. She is definitely a cuddler and wishes that we never had to leave the house without her ~ but that just allows us to love her all the more when we get home!

Thank you for taking such good care of her while she was between homes and for being so kind to us during the adoption process. We are so happy with the new addition to our family… She is loved!!

Thanks again,

Matt & Renee

Name: Milton
Adopted: May 2012
Update from owner: Llast month, I adopted Milton the cat from your shelter. I just wanted to give you an update, as well as a huge thank you for providing me with such a great addition to our family. At first, Milton struggled to get adjusted to the house, being pretty talkative and somewhat destructive. However, he’s learned quickly what surfaces he can and can’t be on, what is meant to be scratched, and where to locate his litter boxes! At night, he joins me not only in my room, but in my bed (typically right in my arms!) and purrs me to sleep. As my first cat, Milton has been so fantastic to bring home and get to know. Thank you again for giving me such a wonderful opportunity with a great little guy!

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Name: Tessa
Primary Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Gender: Female 
Entry Date: 9/10/2012
Birth Date: 2007
Declawed: No  
Adoption Fee: $50.00

Full Description: I HAVE CABIN FEVER, which is why my adoption fee has been reduced to $50.00  

When I first arrived at the shelter, I was picked up on 14th St. Se.  It was quickly realized that I probably had an owner because staff knew that a cat weighing in at nearly 20 pounds couldn’t have been on the prowl for very long!  Calm and laid back, staff were puzzled when no owner stepped forward to reclaim me.  Then one day, luck decided to show her face and I was then transferred to the Humane Society of North Iowa.  Shortly thereafter I was given a new job:  Office Cat.  I begin my day in “my office”.  Then, when the shelter opens, I head out front to assist the customer service staff with customers and volunteers.  Man oh man, this place gets busy sometimes!  When things slow down, I head over to the executive director’s office to bid her good day and chat for a few minutes.  She is still working on finding an outfit big enough to fit me, even though I always tell her I am not interested in modeling!  Goofy gal anyways!  After that, its nap time for this gal, and I head to my bed back in the office to take a power nap.  I work hard here to keep everyone in line and I argue that I do a very good job!  Won’t you please consider hiring me today?  I have been transferred to the Humane Society of North Iowa. Therefore, please call them at 641-423-6241 for more information.   Photo courtesy of Ames Photography.

Name:  Skeeter (formerly Noches)
Adopted: August 2012
Update from owner:

Name: Squeak and Pippi
Adopted: Fall 2011
Update from owner:   Here is a photo of the cats we adopted almost a year ago. We call them Squeak and Pippi. My boys love them. The cats love to sit in the sun, cuddle on our laps, play in the floor joists of our unfinished basement and have even caught a mouse or two. Thank you for these wonderful additions to our family.

Brenda, Eli, Sam and Vern

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Name: Tink
Update from owner: We just wanted to give you an update on “Tink.”  First off, thank you so much for giving us the chance to see him, he is the perfect fit for our family!  He is in love with the kids(he plays with them every chance he gets), and he is my new best friend-he helps me with the laundry, dishes, tucking the kids into bed- He has become my little shadow!  For the first time today he was playing fetch!  He has come so far, he got a name change, his new name is “Remy” and you would not even know that he had it changed!  He also got a new haircut, his hair was too matted and tangled to get through..I thought I would send you some pictures-and we cannot thank you enough for showing him to us when we had been sort of down on our luck on finding a dog that would fit with our family!  Have a great day!
Thanks again,
Nathan, Jillian, Kaden and Paisley

Name: Willoughby
Update from owner:  Just thought you all would like to see a follow-up on willoughby. This is his typical morning…napping on my lap in the recliner. He’s happy and healthy and it didn’t take him long to realize he’s in charge of the house thanks for the wonderful addition to our family.

The Edgerton family

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Name: Goldie
Primary Breed: Golden Retriever Mix
Gender: Female
Entry Date: 01-09-2013
Birth Date: *2003
Adoption Fee: $110.00

Full Description:  Abandoned by my previous owner and left to perish, I have since been rescued by a team of some mighty fine people.

As a result of my past I have lost my tail, but that is the least of my worries. What concerns me most these days is that I won’t ever find a family who will cherish and adore me, always keeping my best interests in mind. I so want, and deserve, at least that.

Do not let my age fool you, I am full of energy and eager to live life to the fullest. After spending some time at the shelter, it has been determined that I cannot live with other dogs or cats. Due to my past, I suffer from some anxiety. I will require a lot of time, love, and patience. Although they have received many applications for me, they have yet to find just the right fit. If you think that you can provide Goldie with her forever home, please call the Humane Society of North Iowa at 641-423-6241 for more information.  Photo courtesy of Arickx Photography.