The City of Los Banos Animal Shelter took part in the first-ever California Adopt-a-Pet Day, a statewide initiative that was held June 1, that featured more than 170 California animal welfare organizations offering free adoptions at their shelters or out in their communities.
“We are proud to be joining the first ever California Adopt-a-Pet Day,” said Sergeant Ivan Mendez, Animal Shelter Supervisor. “We look forward to working with our community to find loving homes for our pets and to raise awareness about the issues of overcrowding in animal shelters. This will be a special day for everyone involved.”
The large influx of animals being brought into shelters in recent years is due to a severe nationwide shortage of veterinary professionals as well as a confluence of other factors, such as inflation and pet-friendly housing restrictions. Many communities in California do not have access to affordable veterinary care, including spay and neuter services.
California Adopt-a-Pet Day is managed by CalAnimals, an organization that focuses on the success of California animal welfare and sheltering organizations in meeting the needs of animals and people in their communities.
The initiative is also supported by the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA), and the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
Working together, the goal of the statewide event was to find loving homes for 2,024 shelter pets across California on June 1. The ASPCA provided funds to cover the cost of free adoptions at participating shelters.
“California shelters are facing enormous pressures due to overcrowding conditions, as the number of animals entering shelters is outpacing those leaving,” said Jill Tucker, CEO of CalAnimals. “By increasing adoption demand and encouraging pet-ready families to visit their local shelter first, we can make a change.
“This unprecedented and collaborative statewide effort can help reduce the number of animals in our shelters while also providing loving, caring families for our most vulnerable pets. There has never been a better time or better selection of incredible animals ready for new homes, and we know the people of California will rise to this challenge,” she said.
Sgt. Medez said, “I want to thank California Animal Welfare Association for providing our shelter the opportunity to participate in the first state-wide free adoption day. The staff did an excellent job! They were able to get six cats and four dogs adopted. I want to extend a special thank you to Dr. Mirella Lopez for volunteering her time to administer twenty-five rabies shots. In addition, staff administered seventeen microchips.”
To find a participating animal shelter in future California Adopt-a-Pet Days, visit https://caadoptapetday.org.
