Everyone in the room at the animal shelter got choked up upon meeting Coco, a gentle Saluki mix who has suffered through four placements since being found as a stray in Tennessee. Her most recent home has been with an owner on the Island who is moving out of state to a place that does not allow pets. Before that the poor dog, confused and frightened, spent her days hiding in the closet of her owner. She is understandably traumatized by all the adjustments this has taken. She is still staying with her present person, and they are quite attached to each other. This person is reluctant to surrender the dog until she leaves the Island on May 4th. Time is of the essence. Coco has a sweet nature, but is 12 years old, so her new owner must be committed to providing a forever home for her. We hope her story will touch the heart of someone reading this column as it has ours.

The Jack Russell who appeared in this column last week is currently residing with a family who is contemplating making this placement permanent. He seems to be faring well. Next week two Chihuahuas are expected to be surrendered to the shelter due to the death of the owner. They are seven and 12 years old, a male and a female. Anyone interested in these pooches can contact the shelter to determine if they are yet in-house.

Skipper needs a forever home. — Alison L. Mead

There is a new cat with a mysterious origin at the shelter. This cat is a spayed female, a long haired black and white who was picked up as a stray in Oak Bluffs. The information we have comes from a microchip that was implanted at the Hyannis MSPCA in 2010. There the story ends. Trying to contact the listed owner has been fruitless. The cat’s listed name is Loco, which does not seem to fit her nature. She is currently in our isolation unit until she is examined by our vet. After that she will join the tuxedo males, Mickey and Tui, the calico Cricket, and the brown and white male, Skipper, in the cat room.

Thank you to all who donated to the spay and neuter wagon sponsored by the shelter and the Island animal control officers. Nine Island dogs will be transported to Falmouth where the van will be located on May 7. The dogs will be transported to the mobile hospital by vans outfitted with well appointed recovery quarters. The above-mentioned ACOs can be contacted if a voucher is needed for the actual cost of the procedure. Watch this space for information on how to enroll in the next trip.

Shelter hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The shelter is closed Sunday and Monday. The telephone number is 508-627-8662. Contributions are always gratefully accepted; the shelter is funded solely by donations. Please make checks out to The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard; the mailing address is P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown, MA 02539 or visit animalshelterofmv.org.