By Erin Lowrey

NATCHEZ — Little paws and wagging tails eagerly arrived on Wall Street Thursday, knowing that adoption was close enough to sniff.

Natchez-Adams Humane Society Director Kathy Fitch said that because of the extra space provided by the Wall Street Shelter, a transport van is able to pick up puppies to take them to other adoption agencies.

When The Dart landed on Wall Street, a group of puppies had just left the shelter for Tampa.

“We bring puppies for quarantine a week before they are transported so they won’t be exposed to any germs before they leave,” Fitch said. “Before the shelter space, we would have to take up to 15 puppies to our homes for quarantine.”

Fitch said that the shelter on average receives up to 2,600 puppies a year, and they place 35 percent of the animals in homes locally. Before the shelter and transport option, the remaining animals that were not adopted would be euthanized.

Shelter manager Linda Kennon said helping the animals is just part of her nature.

“I have 17 dogs of my own,” Kennon said. “I’m a sucker for animals.”

After a week of quarantine, the puppies are transferred to shelters in Tampa and Sarasota, Fla.

“We just about stopped all euthanasia for healthy puppies, and some large dogs get transported so they can have a chance, too.” Fitch said.

The shelter has also established an online adoption agency to better improve the chances of adoption.

“We would much rather transport than euthanize,” Fitch said. “We have really good opportunities, and are responding to the needs of destination shelters with our puppies. We like to keep them happy.”

Dogs available for adoption can be viewed at the shelter’s website. The next shelter event will be at Natchez Home Hardware with a big dog adoption day March 23.

For more information on how to volunteer with the Natchez-Adams Humane Society, visit www.natchezpetadoptions.org or e-mail Kathy Fitch at natchezpetadoptions@gmail.com.