Siri Aponte, community relations coordinator, holds puppy Moe, one of 19 dogs up for adoption at the shelter. Andrea Johnson/MDN

Souris Valley Animal Shelter staff aren’t quite sure what mix of breeds Moe the puppy might be but it looks like she’ll be a big girl once she’s grown into her paws.

Moe is up for adoption and will also make some lucky pet guardians very happy.

Siri Aponte, community relations coordinator for the animal shelter, said the shelter is offering a discount on pet adoptions through May 15 thanks to a partnership with Bissel.

The adoption fee for any pet, cat or dog, regardless of age or gender, will be $25.

The shelter had 18 adoptable cats and 19 adoptable dogs, including Moe, up for adoption as of last week. Some of the animals are being cared for at the shelter and some are being cared for in volunteer foster homes.

People who are interested in adopting an animal can check out the adoptable animals at the animal shelter’s website and submit an application to adopt an animal. Once the application has been pre-approved, a visit can be scheduled so the prospective pet guardian can meet and play with the animal. Animal shelter staff and foster families pay attention to differences in temperament between the animals and can help match families to their new furry friends.

Aponte said the shelter staff recognize that it can be difficult to get an animal seen by a vet in Minot right now, but it is not impossible and the shelter gives quite a bit of time for pet owners to meet those requirements.

The shelter also plans to eventually open a community vet clinic where spaying and neutering and vaccinations will be done. Dr. Logan Wood will be a full-time veterinarian at the clinic at the animal shelter.

Aponte said the shelter does have some requirements for prospective pet owners, such as a requirement that they sign a contract agreeing to spay or neuter the cat or dog within a certain time frame and that the animal receive required vaccinations. People must also have suitable homes for the cat or dog. Living in an apartment would not necessarily rule someone out if they have permission to have the pet.

For more information, call the animal shelter at 852-6133. Aponte said the shelter is also always looking for volunteers to help with the animals or for volunteer foster families to care for the cats and dogs until homes can be found for them.

The shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 2-6 p.m.