FRANKLIN TWP. — Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge will roll out an Adopt-A-Kennel program in January.

The initiative is a new way for the public to help fund the no-kill shelter, said Cordie Braun, a volunteer at the refuge.

“We have so many people that want to be involved but do not have the time to volunteer,” Braun said. “This gives them an opportunity to be involved.”

Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge, located on Lockville Road, is a nonprofit animal shelter that relies on volunteers and donations to care for a variety of homeless pets.

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Currently, 19 dogs and 125 cats are housed at the facility.

Starting Jan. 1, the Adopt-A-Kennel program will give families or companies the opportunity to adopt one of 13 kennels for $500 or one of four puppy birthing rooms for $1,000, Braun said. The adopter will be assigned to a kennel for a year and have a plaque with their name posted on that kennel.

The fee is designed to defray the costs of food, supplies, veterinary care, heat and care for the canine or canines who will reside within that kennel throughout the year.

“It costs about $20 per day for the average dog,” Braun said. “It (Adopt-A-Kennel) does not cover all the costs, but it will help.”

Some canines require extra medical care that can range between $175,000 to $200,000, she said.

These expenses are never recovered through adoption fees.

Instead, the reward for the volunteers is when the dog finds a forever home.

“To adopt a dog is $150,” Braun said. “Puppies that are a year old and younger cost $300 each.”

Canine adoptions happen frequently, Braun said.

“We had over 700 dogs adopted this year,” said Marge Bart, founder of Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge.

Adopt-A-Kennel participants will be informed monthly about the dog housed in their kennel and share in the joy when the dog finds a home, Braun said.

The program is already gaining interest from area businesses.

Peter and Judy Steve, owners of Ideaworks Marketing in Wyoming, were the first to adopt a kennel.

The couple visited the shelter several times, looking to adopt a hypoallergenic dog.

“We were impressed with the loving care Blue Chip provides,” Judy Steve said.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey team also adopted two kennels, Braun said.

Tyler Steve and his mom, Judy, center, visit Ivy, a Coonhound mix, at Blue Chip Farms in Dallas Tuesday. Blue Chip Farms volunteer Cordie Braun is pictured at right.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_bluechipfarms01.jpg.optimal.jpgTyler Steve and his mom, Judy, center, visit Ivy, a Coonhound mix, at Blue Chip Farms in Dallas Tuesday. Blue Chip Farms volunteer Cordie Braun is pictured at right. Pete Wilcox | Times Leader

Jahah, a Black Lab mix, plays with a tennis ball in a kennel at Blue Chip Farms in Dallas.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_bluechipfarms02.jpg.optimal.jpgJahah, a Black Lab mix, plays with a tennis ball in a kennel at Blue Chip Farms in Dallas. Pete Wilcox | Times Leader

Blue Chip Farms owner Marge Bart and Ivy, a Coonhound mix.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_bluechipfarms03.jpg.optimal.jpgBlue Chip Farms owner Marge Bart and Ivy, a Coonhound mix. Pete Wilcox | Times Leader

Ivy’s litter of puppies at Blue Chip Farms in Dallas.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_bluechipfarms04.jpg.optimal.jpgIvy’s litter of puppies at Blue Chip Farms in Dallas. Pete Wilcox | Times Leader

By Eileen Godin

egodin@timesleader.com

To Adopt-A-Kennel at Blue Chip Farm

Animal Refuge visit www.bluechipfarmanimalrefuge.org.

Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews.