Vernon Parish animal shelter officials are doing everything they can to help the dogs and cats in their kennels find new loving homes. For today, July 22, and tomorrow, all fees are being waived for adoptions, making it completely free for a family to take home a new furry friend.
“Our shelter is currently overcrowded and we’re hoping that by waiving the adoption fees, more people will be interested in adopting. Many of our long-term residents have already been spayed or neutered, they are current on their vaccinations, wormed and they are microchipped. All they need is a loving home,” shelter spokesperson MariAnne Sumner stated.
Over the past year, Sumner said the Vernon Parish shelter has seen a six percent increase in the number of stray dogs brought into their facility, making the facility have more adoptable pets than ever before.
To give the animals the best chances they have at finding a new home, the Vernon shelter partnered with nonprofit group Best Friends Animal Society to put together the adoption event that will coincide with others being held across the nation this weekend.
“The summer months, and July in particular, is one of the highest intake months for animal shelters in America so we really encourage anyone who’s looking for a pet to adopt now,” Best Friends Animal Society CEO Julie Castle stated.
The Best Friends organization is partnered with thousands of public and private shelters and rescue groups across the U.S. In May, Castle said the organization held a similar no-fee adoption event in May that resulted in 4,529 pets being adopted. On that momentum, she said she is hoping to see great success during this weekend’s event in Vernon Parish.
The Vernon Parish animal shelter will be open Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and then again from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturday, the shelter will offer special hours to facilitate adoptions from 8 a.m. to noon.
Adopters must be at least 18 years old and legally able to sign a contractual agreement and have a photo ID.
Sumney said by saving one pet, adopters would actually be saving two because the rescued pet would also free up space for another pet to be brought into the shelter and given the chance to find its own forever home.
“That’s why the Vernon Parish Animal Shelter is compelled to be a part of the National Adoption Weekend. Unconditional love is as close as your nearest shelter,” Sumney stated.
Anyone who would like more information about the event or the pets at the shelter may call 337-392-9613 or visit the shelter’s social media pages.