A weekend of second chances for homeless pets

Via PR Log - For homeless cats and dogs in animal shelters across the country, the first weekend in June is somewhat like the Super Bowl weekend of second chances. June is generally the month that pet shelters launch initiatives to empty shelters to make way for a summer of new-found kittens and puppies and adult strays.

One such initiative has a lofty goal of finding 5,000 cats and dogs homes in an orchestrated event covering eight communities in five states and involving more than 170 pet shelters and rescues over Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2. As part of its strategy to promote free adoption nationwide, Maddie’s Fund plans to host America’s biggest free adoption event, dedicating $4 million to the effort.

Addresses of shelters participating can be found at http://adopt.maddiesfund.org. Locations are in New York City, Alachua County, Fla., Dane County, Wis., Washoe County, Nev., and San Francisco, Santa Clara County, Alameda County and Contra Costa County, all in California.

It’s not just the waiving of adoption fees that will inspire families to take a trip to the shelter that weekend, although with normal adoption fees ranging from $80 to $250 per pet, it doesn't hurt, says President of Maddie’s Fund Rich Avanzino. But it’s more about the air of excitement that surround these events in each community.

“Human nature is to procrastinate and the free adoption weekends, with all their high-energy and media attention, encourage people to do what they've been planning on doing for a long time—adopt a pet,” says Avanzino.

Adopters must still qualify for their pets, and just because the pets are free, shelters aren’t out the expense for caring and housing the pet. Maddie’s Fund gives organizations from $500 to $2,000 per adoption. The more senior the animal with medical conditions, the bigger the gift.

“Maddie’s Fund wants to give all healthy, senior and treatable shelter dogs and cats loving homes and free pet adoption events have proven very successful toward that end,” Avanzino adds.

The trend of holding free adoption events at animal shelters can only grow, Avanzino believes. “We'll see more pet-loving benefactors get on board with assisting their local shelters to apply the fee-waived strategy. It saves pet lives and alleviates the overcrowding in shelters,” he says.

More information on participating shelters can be found at: http://adopt.maddiesfund.org. A 30-second public service announcement can be found on YouTube.