The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard has a few nice animals who need good homes.

The Animal Shelter has a new canine resident. He is a 10-year-old Bichon Frisee named Jackson. The barge owners who plied the waterways of France used to bring these sweet little dogs along, hence their French name. They were also much in demand as circus dogs because they were easily trained to do tricks. Jackson, like other members of his breed, is sweet and affectionate. He will be getting his hair done tomorrow so he will be looking his best for visitors and potential new owners. One caveat: he trembles in the presence of small children, but gets along fine with cats and other dogs.

The lobby of the Animal Shelter is quieter these days with the departure of Gizmo, the singing guinea pig, to a new home. However, the cat room is filling up with all manner of beautiful felines. A stray found in Edgartown is hoping his original owner reads this column and reclaims him. He goes by the name Richard at the shelter. He is a large gray cat with tiger markings and is very friendly. Another large male cat, Joe Frazier, seems to be misnamed as there is no fight in him. Then there is Bubba, a handsome tiger striped male. At four years old, he is one of the younger residents, as is his former housemate, Bootsie, with her pretty white paws. The other females looking for a couch of their own to rest on are O.B., a two year old calico, Tortellini, an unusually marked tortoise shell, and a dear small cat named Penny, who is the senior cat at 18. Each of them would make a good companion to snuggle with during these frigid winter days.

All pet owners should be aware of the dangers this weather poses to their animals. Keep them inside if possible.

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.