Reply #5: It is a lovely story. Read the entire thing - here are some more details: [View All]

[Pirate Smile]

"Staff members say they have noticed a distinct improvement in the animals' behavior and health.

Gary Weitzman, the shelter's medical director, said that because of the calming music, fresh water and heated floors, abused and diseased animals heal faster. And kennel cough -- a highly contagious illness in dogs -- has dropped nearly 90 percent with fresh air being circulated into individual dens, he said.

The facility also seems to affect people who come looking for pets. Adoptions are up, said adoption manager Shelley Petrasek, who credits the visible amenities with making people feel good about adopting animals.

-snip-
Perhaps the best testament to the benefits of an extreme makeover is the story of Christiano, an ungainly terrier mix who was rescued from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina but languished in the shelter for a full year -- unfriendly, reclusive and undesirable.

Once the new shelter opened and the chimes played in his dog run and the water fountain trickled, Christiano started to unwind. He relaxed, wagged his tail and started approaching families looking for a pet. He found his match within days."