3/27/2026

IRONWOOD - Effective immediately, the dog room area of H.O.P.E animal shelter will be closed to the public.  All meet and greets with the dogs will be by appointment only.  The animal shelter citing a number of reasons for the change including the well-being of the dogs.  Every time someone enters the room, the dogs stress levels go up.  The change will help with keeping the dog's calmer throughout the afternoon and for the safety of staff, volunteers and the public.  During the afternoon hours when the shelter is open to the public, they are getting dogs in and out to their kennels, feeding, socializing and walking them.  The dog room being closed to the public will help them to do these things more efficiently and without interruptions from people just wanting to walk though and see the dogs.  The animal shelter hopes the public understand their decision.