As of November 10, Seattle Humane Society has opened its doors seven days a week for animal adoptions. Adoption hours are noon to 6 p.m. every day excluding major holidays. On its first Monday of adoptions under the new schedule, shelter staff found three cats and two dogs loving new homes.

The move comes at a time when more and more animals are being surrendered due to economic hard times. Extended hours mean more opportunities for people to meet their perfect pet, especially for those people with non-traditional workweeks that may include weekends. It also coincides with the shelter's launch of its "Home for the Holidays" campaign. The campaign's goal is to find as many animals new homes before the holidays as possible.

"We want to get more animals in homes," says Brenda Barnette, chief executive officer for the Seattle Humane Society. "We've surveyed other areas and learned shelters that are open seven days a week do more adoptions and serve more people. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to add more love to your life!"

I used to volunteer in the dog program on Tuesdays, one of the days the shelter was formerly closed to the public. Tuesday is "spring cleaning" day at the shelter, when literally every surface is given an even more thorough scrubbing and disinfection. With no public to greet, this was a much easier task, and it is no small feat that the dedicated staff and volunteers of Seattle Humane Society have opened the doors every day without sacrificing the shelter's first-class standards of cleanliness and animal care.

If you have visited the shelter, you know what I mean. If you haven't, I hope you will make the trip soon--on whatever day of the week suits your schedule.

You can visit the Seattle Humane Society's Web site for driving directions and to see the wonderful animals up for adoption.