Pet lovers had a chance to add a new member to their family without paying adoption fees during a “Clear the Shelters’ event at Pasco County Animal Services, at 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’Lakes.
The animal shelter, along with the nonprofit group Friends of Animal Services Inc., hosted the event as part of the national pet adoption drive.
The drive, launched four years ago, is spearheaded by the television media company NBC Universal, and sponsored by Cat’s Pride and Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
Shelters across the country taking part in the event either reduced or waived pet adoption fees.
The Pasco shelter waived the adoption fee for the dozens of available cats and dogs, and required only the purchase of appropriate licensing for a new pet.
Normally, adoption fees are $70 to $85 for dogs and $40 to $50 for cats, which includes spay/neutering, vaccinations, microchip, heartworm testing for dogs, and FIV and feline leukemia for cats.
Rachel Stever, the education and outreach coordinator for the shelter, said this was the second year the shelter participated, and she expected about 300 people to attend.
People began lining up two hours before the doors opened and, by the time it did, a crowd of about 100 had gathered, Stever said.
During the first two hours of the event, 16 adoptions had occurred and 11 were pending, she added.
Pasco County Animal Services became a “Save 90” shelter in 2012, meaning that its goal is to save 90 percent of the animals that are brought to the facility.
In addition to getting adoption fees waived, those attending the event could pick up swag bags provided by Pet Supplies Plus, complete with pet food samples, treats and coupons, and a spin the wheel game for a chance to win a prize.
Friends of Animal Services, the nonprofit support group of Pasco County Animal Services, was there, too, showing off its memorial tree. Those making a $100 donation receive an engraved leaf on the memorial tree. All donations support the shelter.
By Christine Holtzman
Published August 22, 2018
