Gander SPCA has dogless Christmas, but many cats still available

An animal shelter in central Newfoundland is in a welcome situation this week with no dogs available for those looking to adopt.

The Gander SPCA saysit isn't getting the same amount of complaint calls about dogs it once did.

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Betty Suley, president of the local shelter, thinks thismay be signalinga change in attitudes around the responsible ownershipof dogs.

The ultimate goal is to put us out of business.- Betty Suley

"The ones we did have were adopted and there have been no calls as of yet for any to come in," she toldCBC's Central Morning ShowThursday.

"I'm hopeful that we finally got our message out to spay and neuter, and to look after your pets and that they're not a disposable item."

While the shelter doesn't have any dogs right now, Suley said there are still 30 or 40 cats and kittens there looking for good homes. She saidideally she would like to see the shelter completely empty.

"There are some really beautiful cats here. If anyone wants one I ask them to come down here and take a look," she said.

"The ultimate goal is to put us out of business."