Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month

October is Adopt-AShelter-Dog Month! Each year, an estimated 6.5 million dogs and cats enter shelters all across the United States. Of that 6.5 million, 1.5 million of them are euthanized due to lack of space in shelters and the lack of homes.

Each October, in an effort to help the millions of cats and dogs waiting for their furever homes, shelters across the nation celebrate this special month to save lives!

As the years go by, people are doing more and more to reduce the numbers of animals being euthanized in shelters. Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month is another perfect opportunity for pet lovers everywhere to come together do to great things for the homeless pets in the community. The team at the Humane Society of Imperial County is part of that group of people who are doing their absolute best to make a difference.

As mentioned in a previous column, the Humane Society of Imperial County is commemorating Adopt-A-ShelterDog Month with Pawtoberfest. During this event, we have reduced all adoption fees by 50 percent for the entire month of October!

However, all other standard adoption policies and procedures will still be in place. This means all adopters will be subject to pre-adoption screening. Our pre-adoption screening process requires that all adopters show proof of whether they own or rent their homes. If the adopter owns a home, our adoption specialists will need to see a mortgage statement or property tax statement that has the adopter’s name and address that matches to a current form of state issued identification.

If adopters rent, we must see something in a rental agreement that states whether they are allowed to have pets where they reside. If their rental agreement does not stipulate whether a pet is allowed in the residence, then a hand-written or typed letter from the landlord must be presented to the adoption specialist. The letter must state the landlord’s name and contact number, and it must specifically grant permission to the renter to have a pet at the residence. The landlord must also state whether there are any breed or size restrictions in the letter.

Lastly, for adopters wanting to adopt a dog or puppy and already have a dog or puppy in the home, we do require a meet and greet with the dog or puppy that the adopter already has.

We understand that this might seem like a lengthy process, but this protocol is in place to ensure that the adoption is a permanent solution for the animal; and that the adoption process is a positive experience for the animals and the adopting family!

Of course all Humane Society of Imperial County adoptions will still include the same adoption benefits that we have to offer to our adopted pets and their families. These include the pets being spayed or neutered, being up-to-date on all required vaccinations for one year, being microchipped with a lifetime registration, and provision of one free grooming within 30 days of adoption with Awesome Pawz in Holtville (dogs only) and one free wellness check with your local family veterinarian.

To see all of the animals in our care that are available for adoption, please visit www. adoptapet.com. From there, click on “Shelters & Rescues” and in the location search bar just below enter 92243, and then click “Search”. On the following page click on Humane Society of Imperial County and everyone’s picture and general info will pop up!

We encourage all community members to become a hero this month and adopt a pet from your local shelter or rescue group! You will be saving a life and greatly improving your own as pets are amazing, supportive, and heroic companions!

Adoption fees are $85 for puppies, $60 for adult dogs, $50 for senior dogs, $40 for kittens and $25 for adult cats.