St. Clair County Animal Shelter to reduce adoption fees for "empty the shelter" event
St. Clair County Animal Control will reduce adoption fees for several days in December to encourage potential pet owners to bring home a new furry family member.
Adoptions will be available at the shelter at 3378 Griswold Road from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2; from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 3; and from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5 though 9. Adoption fees will be $25 for dogs and cats, as opposed to the regular rate of $125 for dogs and $75 for cats.
Appointments are preferred but not required. Schedule an appointment by emailing animalcontrol@stclaircounty.org.
St. Clair County Animal Control Director Melissa Miller said adoption fees are covered through a grant from the BISSELL Pet Foundation. The grant amount will be reimbursed based on the number of adoptions during the event.
BISSELL's "Empty the Shelters: Holiday Hope" is a national event hosted in more than 275 shelters in 40 states. Since its inception in 2016, more than 83,000 pets have found adoptive homes, according to a St. Clair County press release.
Miller said by lowering the cost of the adoption fees, new pet owners have more money to spend on other items, such as toys, beds, collars and more.
Miller said the shelter has seen a large uptick in stray dogs recently, possibly due to the lagging economy and a lack of pet-friendly housing in the area. While the shelter has a good return rate of reuniting lost dogs with their owners, some loose dogs are never claimed.
“This event is coming at a great time. SCCAC is at critical capacity for our dogs and cats," Miller said in a written statement.
The shelter currently has mostly mid- and large-sized dogs, of all different ages. Miller said the shelter has also seen an uptick in cats from owner surrenders.
Miller said all animals come vetted, spayed and neutered, are up to date on all their shots and have received heartworm and other age-appropriate tests.
“Supporting your local shelter is always a great act of charity but these guys are no different than any other dogs, they just want a home," Miller said.
Regular adoptions hours are 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday by appointment. To make an appointment, send a message to the email above or call (810) 984-3155. To view adoptable animals, make a donation, or fill out an adoption application, visit stclaircounty.org//Offices/animal_control/Default.aspx. See more adoptable pets and shelter updates at facebook.com/adoptsccac.
Contact Laura Fitzgerald at (810) 941-7072 or lfitzgeral@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: St. Clair County Animal Control to reduce adoption fees for select days in December
