Eldfriede Milburn, devoted chairman of the operating board of Caring for Powell Animals, counts the months that some animals have been confined in the city animal shelter.

“You feel badly that so many have been in the shelter for so long, particularly the older dogs,” she said remorsefully. “They don’t seem to be wanted — the same with the cats.”

The most recent count numbers nine dogs, 14 cats and a separate category of three barn cats. The barn cats would be “great mousers,” she said.

Milburn implored area residents to consider adopting a pet. No matter how long they have been sheltered, “we’re not going to euthanize them,” she said.

Dogs can be acquired from the shelter for $45, cats for $25 each and the barn cats for simply a small donation. The charges are based on shelter costs to spay, neuter and provide shots to the animals. The cost of feeding the animals is not included.

The latest census of dogs includes:

• Max, a 14-year-old male Lab, who has been in the shelter since January;

• Buddy, a male border collie, 12 years old, sheltered for six months;

• Diesel, a male German shepherd, 8 years old and in the shelter for 11 months;

• Roscoe, a male shepherd-Lab cross, 2 years old and sheltered since August; and

• Bean, a 2-year-old female shepherd cross also sheltered since  August.

 Canines taken in within the last month or so include:

• Shyla, a female kelpie cross, approximately a year old;

• Rosie, a female beagle cross; and

• Skip, a male catahoola.

• Willow, a female Australian shepherd, recently returned to the shelter for a second time. She is about a year-and-a-half old.