On Saturday, August 17, 2019, Alachua County Animal Services (ACAS) adopted out 102 dogs and cats during their 12-hour “Summer Lovin’” adoption event. By the end of the day, there were only three cats and 15 dogs remaining at the shelter to be adopted. The event was part of the national “Clear the Shelter” adoption event that comes every summer when shelters are the most likely to be overcrowded with adoptable pets.
A large part of the success was thanks to the UF veterinary students. They advertised the event community-wide, prepared a story for each animal, made real-time posts on the ACAS Facebook Page during the event, and escorted each potential adopter to see the animals. The students also obtained a grant from the Wagmore Foundation to promote the event.
Another significant part of the success was ACAS staff. They arrived at 4 a.m. on Saturday to clean the shelter and stayed until 8:30 p.m. to complete care of the remaining animals.
“It may have rained all day, but that didn't dampen the community’s excitement about bringing a new best friend into the family. Adopters were waiting when the doors opened in the morning,” said UF’s Fran Marino Endowed Professor of Shelter Medicine Education Dr. Julie Levy. ”Not only was this the shelter’s biggest adoption event of the year, but it was also the first time that dogs with heartworm infection had a chance to be fostered by the public during their treatment. Once the treatments are completed for the 13 lucky heartworm-infected dogs that were selected, their adoptions will be finalized.”
For more information, contact Alachua County Animal Services at 352-264-6870.