FAIRHOPE — As Adopt a Shelter Pet Month is observed nationwide, officials at two Baldwin County animal rescue groups are asking residents to take a moment to consider bringing an abandoned or unwanted pet into their home, or have those already there spayed or neutered.

Kathy Eddy, the new executive director of the Fairhope-based Baldwin Animal Rescue Center (BARC), said this is an ideal opportunity to share your love with a dog or cat that might otherwise be euthanized at one of the county’s overcrowded animal shelters.

“We’re working with a grant from Maddie’s Fund for the third year to stop the euthanization of healthy animals from shelters,” she said. “We take dogs out of the shelter and place them for adoption. We also offer on a sliding scale spay and neuter services for low income people. We have a lot of cooperating vets in the area.”

BARC does not shelter any pets at its Magnolia Avenue office. It does, however, showcase some available cats at B & B Pets, 5035 Cottage Hill Road in Mobile; PetSmart at the Eastern Shore Centre in Spanish Fort; Old Tyme Feed on Greeno Road in Fairhope; and at the Eastern Shore Pet Hospital, 910 Plantation Blvd. in Fairhope.

Eddy said, “These cats are what we call ‘ready to go.’ They have been spayed or neutered, have all their shots and have tested negative for feline leukemia and feline AIDS. We adopt them through what we call our Kitten Kaboodle program. It is the cat part of BARC.”

Other cats and all dogs up for adoption by the group are kept at foster homes throughout the area.

You may see all the pets BARC has up for adoption on www.petfinder.com. A direct link can be found at www.baldwinanimalrescue.com.

Eddy said the number of animals looking for homes keeps the staff and volunteers busy. The organization also works with the Fairhope Cat Coalition, helping the advocates for feral cats with their spay and neutering program.

Eddy was recently hired by BARC’s board of directors to replace interim executive director John Reuss, who stepped in when the late Rob Walker became seriously ill in early 2005. Reuss had agreed to serve until a permanent replacement could be found, and will continue to hold a position on the board.

Organizations like BARC and the Haven continue to be important, Eddy said, because “when shelters are at capacity, they either have to adopt out, see if we have space or euthanize.”

She said 101 dogs and 144 cats are currently waiting for good homes at the county shelter, the city shelters in Daphne and Fairhope and the Haven in Fairhope, with all at capacity.

The city of Bay Minette contracts its shelter services as needed with a veterinarian.

Around 5,000 animals were euthanized last year, according to Eddy, including around 1,500 that were healthy and suitable for adoption.

in 2006, BARC placed for adoption 1,808 dogs and cats (around a 50-50 split), and has placed 2,500 pets so far this year. The group also issued 2,574 spay and neuter vouchers last year and 2,300 so far in 2007.

Of the current certificate tally, 596 went to control the feral cat population. Eddy said there are 200 feral cat colonies in Baldwin County, with an estimated 1,200 to 2,000 individuals. The number could be as high as 20,000.

She noted one unaltered animal could result in up to 66,000 offspring in just six years. She added the Cat Coalition spayed and neutered 51 cats in one day last weekend, thanks to the efforts of four or five participating veterinarians. That will prevent the birth of 600 unwanted cats in just one year.

“Spaying and neutering is the only way,” Eddy said. “We can’t adopt ourselves out of the problem.”

But, until everyone heeds the warnings trumpeted by Eddy, former “Price is Right” host Bob Barker and countless others who are concerned about homeless pets, adoption is the only solution.

“We’re planning several offsite venues and events to showcase our adoptable dogs and cats. We have great animals that need only one thing — new homes,” Michael Graham, executive director of The Haven, stated in a press release. He was not available for further comment prior to press time.

The Haven is a no-kill animal shelter and adoption agency that shares space with the city of Fairhope’s animal shelter at 559 S. Section St.

Adoptable animals at The Haven have been assessed for temperament, microchipped for identification, vaccinated, de-wormed and tested for feline leukemia/feline immunodeficiency virus and heartworms.

“Most importantly,” Graham added in his statement, “all of our animals are altered before being made available for adoption.”

The Haven and BARC screen those who adopt pets through an application process that often includes a home visit.

Eddy said, “We are more careful in our adoption process than some shelters are. People need to know that if they come to an adoption event on Saturday, they’re not going home with a pet. You’ll fill out an application and we’ll do a follow-up with their vet to make sure if they have any other animals they’re up to date on their vaccinations.”

If adopting families do not currently have a pet or a veterinarian, Eddy said they will still make sure the pet will be well taken care of and is the right fit. Doing so protects the animals’ emotional and physical well being.

“We try and get it right the first time so we don’t have a situation where the animal has to be returned,” she said. “That’s hard on everyone, especially if there are kids involved.”

BARC has adoption events scheduled today (Oct. 20), from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at PetSmart in the Eastern Shore Centre; Nov. 17 at the Fairhope Civic Center; and Dec. 1 at Hood’s Discount Home Center in Foley. The times of the last two adoption events have yet to be determined.

The Haven and BARC will also join Maddie’s Pet Rescue Center, the Baldwin County Animal Shelter as well as shelters in Daphne, Fairhope and Bay Minette at the first annual Pick-a-Pet Fest on Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the Faulkner State Community College campus in Fairhope.

The event will feature pet adoptions, of which the cost will include spay or neuter services, initial vaccinations, heartworm or feline combo testing and a microchip.

The county animal shelter will provide a rabies clinic, with shots costing $10 each and the Haven will microchip a pet for $20 each (must provide proof of rabies vaccination).

Also part of the fun will be a Halloween pet costume contest with a $5 entry fee and other activities.

For more information about the Pick-a-Pet Fest, call Brooke Steed at (251) 533-9140.

For more information about The Haven, or for a list of pet adoption events this month, visit www.havenforanimals.org., or call 929-3980.

To find out more about the Baldwin Animal Rescue Center, call 928-4585.