Article and Photography by ALICE MARY HERDEN
Four counties joined together and organized a “waived adoption fee” event to give over 300 dogs and cats a new environment surrounded by love and companionship.
The event began on Friday, May 17 and by Sunday, the last day of the event, only a hand full of dogs and five cats were left without a new home.
“We are all in the same boat together,” said Shannon Finch, shelter coordinator for Hernando County Animal Services. “When all the counties can come together and work for the same cause, and that is getting animals adopted, it’s a win-win for everybody. It’s a win for the animals; it’s a win for the community; it’s a win for the shelter.”
Organizations from Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk and Citrus counties joined Hernando County for the event that was sponsored by Best Friends Animal Society and Pet Resources Foundation, Inc.
Pet Resources from Hillsborough brought 54 dogs and adopted out 43, Pasco Animal brought in 48 dogs and adopted out 30.
“It was a fantastic event and a lot of hard work,” Shannon said. “We all worked together as a team, and that’s really what it is about because it takes all of us to be able to get these animals to a new home.”
The Humane Society of the Nature Coast brought 17 dogs and 69 cats to the event, only having five cats not adopted. “We are expanding our shelter in the next couple of weeks and breaking ground on a 4800 square building that will triple our cat capacity, so it’s great that we can control our intake right now,” Susana Ameson, Director of Development, said. “This is kind of a godsend for us- getting some adoptable animals out that have been with us for awhile.”
In case you missed the event, there are still hundreds of dogs and cats waiting to be adopted. In Hernando County, you can Contact HCAS at (352) 796-5062 for more information or the Humane Society of the Nature Coast at 352-796-271, maybe you will find your special furry best friend.
