Thinking about getting a pet? Mark Saturday, Aug. 15 on your calendar. County Animal Services is among more than a dozen local organizations taking part in “Clear the Shelters,” a one-day, all-out push in cities around the country aimed at getting every shelter animal into homes. For that day only, County Animal Services is waiving all adoption fees on its pets for qualified applicants, and that includes a spay or neuter, vaccinations, a microchip and a free veterinary exam.
That means puppies, kittens, cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and turtles are available at no cost to anyone offering a good home. Any homeless animal at County Animal Services is available; it even has a bearded dragon, a rooster, ducks, and a horse up for adoption!
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NBC 7 is leading the campaign for the Clear the Shelters effort here in San Diego County and has already featured the unusual pets available at County Animal Services shelters in a recent story. In addition to County Animal Services, 14 other local shelters are involved in this first-of-its-kind pet adoption event for this region.
A similar campaign in the Dallas/Fort Worth area last year led to the adoption of more than 2,200 homeless animals, the most ever in one day in north Texas. This year, NBC is taking the Clear the Shelters effort across the country and including more than 300 shelters.
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“We are more than happy to take part in this audacious goal to clear the shelters,” said County Animal Services Director Dawn Danielson. “Anyone who adopts a pet is providing a forever home, but that pet gives back so much more in return in the way of unconditional love, fun and companionship.”
Typically, County Animal Services takes in some 23,000 homeless animals a year. Currently, about 1,000 pets are available for adoption at its three animal care facilities located in Bonita, central San Diego and Carlsbad.
The Clear the Shelters event takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 but County animal facilities will open at the regular time of 9:30 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. The free offer will be extended during that time frame so get in line early and get first pick!
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