Beaufort County Animal Control is seeking adoptive families for two recent graduates of the New Leash on Life Program.
The program is administered by the N.C. Department of Correction. Under the program, prison inmates acquire new skills by training dogs that need new homes.
Inmates at the Craven Correctional Institution trained two of the prospective adoptees, Max and Rascal, said Sandy Woolard, Beaufort County’s chief animal control officer.
“It’s called the New Leash on Life Program because it’s a new lease on life for the dogs and inmates,” she said, adding participating prisoners are trained to teach dogs obedience.
The prisoners also have the benefit of veterinary technician classes.
“It helps them get an education and experience for when they’re released to find a job,” Woolard pointed out.
Beaufort County has been taking part in New Leash on Life for more than a year, according to Woolard.
Around 16 dogs have been released from the program here, and 14 of them have been adopted out through the Betsy Bailey Nelson Animal Control Facility, she related.
The adoptions are carried out with the help of InnerBanks Canine Rescue, a nonprofit group based in Washington.
“InnerBanks works with our local shelter, Humane Society and veterinarians to prepare these dogs for entry into the program,” the nonprofit’s website reads.
Max and Rascal are “neutered, housetrained, up to date with shots, good with kids, and good with dogs,” reads information provided by the Humane Society of Beaufort County.
A fee of $125 per dog is charged to people who adopt the program graduates.
All of the adopted dogs are spayed or neutered, heartworm negative and on flea and tick medication, Woolard said.
“Rascal is very laid back and really sweet,” she said. “He’s kind of an amazing dog because he was found on someone’s farm, and he had never been in contact with humans, and he ended up being best in class.”
As for Max, he’s “very smart as well, but he’s got a little more spunk to him,” Woolard continued.
“He’d do real well in a home with kids or a high-energy home,” she said.
Rascal is a pointer mix, and Max is a Labrador retriever/hound mix, she said.
Woolard’s praise for New Leash on Life was echoed earlier this week in an interview with Marty Poffenberger, president of the local Humane Society.
“We need to care about people that care about people and animals both,” she said.
For more information on the program, call Beaufort County Animal Control at 252-946-4517 or visit www.innerbankscaninerescue.com.