Seymour, a 12-year-old Pomeranian mix, has been at the Humane Society of Weld County since Nov. 29, when animal control brought him into the shelter.No one came to look for him.Ozzy, a 3-month-old Border Collie mix, was adopted as a holiday gift, and was brought back to the shelter the day after Christmas.The reason for his return? His adoptive family didn’t have enough time.[swift-infobox title=”To learn more”]To learn more about the animals up for adoption at the Humane Society of Weld County, go to www.weldcountyhumane.org or call the humane society at (970) 506-9550.[/swift-infobox]Although more than 115 animals have been adopted since the shelter reopened dog intakes and adoptions Dec. 14 after halting a strep zoo outbreak, that doesn’t mean those left behind aren’t just as in need of homes as the ones who were chosen during the holiday season, said Elaine Hicks, the humane society director.Although the average length of stay for the dogs is 13 or 14 days, Hicks said, some are in the shelter much longer.For dogs like Seymour, it’s because of their age. Senior dogs, Hicks said, can end up in the shelter for extended stays because their owners don’t look for them when they go missing.Some people are under the mistaken assumption, she said, that old dogs wander away to die. While that can occasionally happen, she said, sometimes they just get lost. Then they end up in the shelter, where many people go to find a dog that will be with them for a while, rather than a dog who needs a home for their last weeks or years.Ozzy, and other dogs like him who have been returned to the shelter, clearly feel anxiety when they are brought back in, Hicks said. They’ve had a taste of a home life, and, just like the dogs who come back in to get vaccinations, they resist going back. While some who are happy in their homes may be excited to see their former caretakers, many, Hicks said, will halt as soon as they realize where they are.”They know,” she said.That’s why, she said, people need to carefully consider whether they can give animals a good home before getting them from the shelter.Here are a few things to think about before adopting a dog:

Time – If you work 10-12 hours a day, a high-energy dog like Ozzy is probably not for you. Consider whether you can give them the compassion, attention and exercise they need, and then check with the shelter to find an animal to meet your lifestyle, if one does. It’s a lifelong (for the animal) commitment.

Allergies – If anyone in the house has allergies, a long-term commitment to the animal they’re allergic to is likely not feasible.

Children – Make sure the animal you’re getting gets along well with kids if you have children in the house.

House or apartment – The size of a home should also factor into the size of the animal you choose to bring into it.