A chorus of barks can be heard at the Flathead County Animal Shelter on any given day. Often nearly at full capacity, the shelter is home to an ever-rotating mix of small and big dogs, puppies, cats and kittens. 

This holiday season, adoption fees are free for any family taking home a pet thanks to a $50,000 donation to Flathead Shelter Friends by Colin Johnson.

“Most dogs are better people than people are,” Johnson said on Thursday. “They’re fantastic creatures. I hope that they find homes real fast.” 

Johnson, 75, donated the money to Flathead Shelter Friends, a nonprofit associated with acquiring funds for shelter improvements and projects. 

Myni Ferguson, the president of the nonprofit, describes the organization and the shelter as a “total team,” working together for the benefit of the animals. Especially in a year where the shelter has been repeatedly full, the donation is a true gift, Ferguson said. 

“I'm so proud of that animal shelter, I have been a volunteer for over 40 years… to see where it's at now is just amazing,” Ferguson said. 

The money will cover all adoption fees for dogs and cats — adoption fees range from $40 to $125 depending on the age of the animal. Owners still have to purchase a $45 lifetime dog license or $25 cat ownership fee. 

The donation also allows the shelter to raise from $250 to $350 the Senior Pet Veterinary Certificate for all adopted pets over the age of 7. 

“This is huge for our animals,” said Austin Hicks, the director of the shelter. “Hopefully it gets more people in here looking for animals.” 

Johnson’s donation is not a one-time gift either, he said. The animal-lover plans to continue donating to the shelter in perpetuity. Humans domesticated dogs, so it is imperative that humans give those dogs the best lives they can, he said. It's also a good tax write-off, he said. 

Originally from Kalispell, Johnson previously did real estate investments. He loves dogs, he says, and tolerates cats, although Johnson spent some time petting the adoptable cats on Thursday. 

“The benefit to us at the shelter is hopefully that animals get out and into homes,” Hicks said. On Wednesday alone, the shelter adopted out seven dogs and three cats — many thanks to the incentive the donation created, Hicks and Ferguson said. 

All adoptable dogs and cats come with needed vaccinations, are spayed or neutered, and have a free veterinary exam certificate and a microchip identification implant. 

For more information on adopting a pet, visit  https://flathead.mt.gov/department-directory/animal/adoptions and schedule an appointment. The shelter also is open for physical or monetary donations as well.

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.

    Colin Johnson, left, and Myni Ferguson, right, look at the cats available for adoption at the Flathead County Animal Shelter. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    From left to right, Colin Johnson, Austin Hicks and Myni Ferguson stand at the Flathead County Animal Shelter holding The Grinch, the puppy. Johnson recently donated $50,000 to the shelter. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Austin Hicks, left, and Myni Ferguson, hold a puppy named "The Grinch" at the Flathead County Animal Shelter on Dec. 14, 2023. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Goose, a cat for adoption at the Flathead County Animal Shelter, is seen in their updated crates. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    The Grinch, a puppy at the Flathead County Animal Shelter, is seen outside of the shelter on Dec. 14, 2023. Shelter director Austin Hicks is holding him. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)