Empty the Shelters event a success
JEFFERSON TWP. — In the first two weeks of May, the Greater Hillsdale Humane Society held a successful Empty the Shelter event.
Ten cats and five dogs were adopted by families through the event, which is sponsored by the Bissell Pet Foundation.
“We were very lucky to have an anonymous sponsor that took care of the reduced fees for the dogs that were adopted,” said Joni Baker, shelter director at the Humane Society.
This support from a sponsor helps more animals find homes.
“We have had anonymous donors for the past three events that have paid for either all the dogs, all of the cats, or all of both reduced fees so that the adopters are getting the animals without having to pay anything,” Baker said. “Empty the Shelter is a great opportunity to get a new pet at a reduced rate, while still getting a healthy animal that is spayed or neutered, microchipped, fully vaccinated, and tested for heartworm/FeLk/FIV.”
Baker said the year’s event less busy compared to past years.
“The event seemed slow but steady, with all 15 adoptions being spread out throughout the whole 15 days,” Baker said. “Of course we like to see the customers lined up at the doors, but this time it was less crazy.”
Baker said that while this year had fewer adoptions, they were still glad for the support from the community.
“The community usually responds very well to our events, and this was no exception,” she said. “This event was slower compared to previous events we’ve had, and we were surprised to not have as many customers as in previous events. We have had wonderful community response to our shelter in the past couple of years, and we appreciate everyone that has adopted from us, and all that support us in the county.”
As the shelter enters a particularly busy season, Baker said she hopes the community support continues.
“Since it’s kitten season we actually took in nearly triple the amount of cats we adopted during those two weeks,” she said. "We have also taken in nearly 20 dogs from Hillsdale County in the past month.”
She said there are multiple ways this influx of new pets needing homes can be stopped by the community.
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“We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to spay and neuter your pets, and please adopt, don’t shop!”
The community can support the Humane Society by donating items off its needs list, which includes Purina Puppy Chow, cat toys and treats, Purina Cat Chow, clumping cat litter, and Milkbone biscuits.
The Humane Society is at 3881 S. Tripp Road, Osseo, and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
— Elyse Apel is a correspondent for The Hillsdale Daily News. She can be reached by email at ehawkins@hillsdale.edu.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Empty the Shelters event a success
