20 shelter animals become pets at ‘Black Saturday’ adoption event

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ST. GEORGE — 30 minutes before the St. George Animal Shelter’s doors opened, there was already a line of people waiting to enter for its “Black Saturday” adoption event.

Wimpy is around 4 years old. He is great with kids and is housebroken but isn't too sure about the other cats in the cat room. Description provided by St. George Animal Shelter, St. George, Utah, currently posted as available (status may change) as of Nov. 25, 2016 | Photo courtesy of St. George Animal Shelter, St. George News
Wimpy is around 4 years old. He is great with kids and is housebroken but isn’t too sure about the other cats in the cat room. Description provided by St. George Animal Shelter, St. George, Utah, currently posted as available (status may change) as of Nov. 27, 2016 | Photo courtesy of St. George Animal Shelter, St. George News

To celebrate the Black Friday shopping extravaganza, the St. George Animal Shelter held its own event by offering “Black Saturday” savings, slashing the $50 adoption fee to $10 for one day.

A total of 20 critters left the rank of shelter animals and became pets, including 11 dogs, seven cats, one rabbit and a ferret.

Only three dogs, and possibly only two if a potential customer returns, were left at the shelter when the doors closed just after 5 p.m.

The streamlined adoption process took very little time.

“Once the animal was selected, the entire adoption process took about 15 to 20 minutes to complete the paperwork and process the animal for microchipping,” St. George Animal Shelter Supervisor April McManus said.

Those who took advantage of the special $10 adoption fee saved a great deal of money as well, she said. Taking into account that each animal was fully vaccinated and spayed or neutered. All of the dogs were also microchipped, making it easier to find them should they become lost.

Normal adoption fees add up as follows:

  • Spay or neuter – $140
  • Vacinations      – $65
  • Micro Chip       – $50

Considering the total cost for the same services usually total more than $255 for a dog and $205 for a cat, the adoption event was a win for both the animals and their new adoptive parents.

The shelter holds various adoption events throughout the year, generally one event per month, McManus said. Special events are also held if there is an influx in the number of dogs or cats.

“We just want these animals to find a good home,” she said, “and organizing these types of events helps us to reach that goal.”

Toro is a 5-year-old chow mix. He was brought to the shelter as a stray. He does well with some female dogs. He is a chill dude and very loving. Come up to the shelter and meet Toro! Description provided by St. George Animal Shelter, St. George, Utah, currently posted as available (status may change) as of Nov. 25, 2016 | Photo courtesy of St. George Animal Shelter, St. George News
Toro is a 5-year-old chow mix. He was brought to the shelter as a stray. He is a chill dude and very loving. Description provided by St. George Animal Shelter, St. George, Utah, currently posted as available (status may change) as of Nov. 27, 2016 | Photo courtesy of St. George Animal Shelter, St. George News

The St. George Animal Shelter is owned and operated by the city. As a “no-kill” shelter, euthanasia is reserved only for animals that are either terminally ill or deemed a threat to public safety. The ultimate goal of the shelter is to place owner surrendered or stray animals into good homes through pet adoptions. However, the shelter staff can’t do it all on their own.

Providing a loving “home away from home” environment for these animals is made possible by more than 100 volunteers who assist the shelter staff with various duties and spend time with the animals.

The volunteers help the animals adjust to their surroundings and provide comfort, which in turn increases the animals’ chances to find a new home. Animals that appear healthy and happy have a better chance of being adopted.

There are an estimated 14,000 shelters and pet rescue groups in the U.S., taking in nearly 8 million animals each year. The “no-kill movement” has been credited with greatly reducing the number of dogs and cats that are euthanized, from some 20 million down to about 3 million each year.

Thanks to aggressive spay and neuter efforts, in house clinics and partnerships with community veterinarians, animal shelters address the root cause of overpopulation and homelessness. Additionally, by providing veterinary care and referrals once the animal is adopted, shelters ensure that overall animal populations are healthier and the spread of disease is slowed significantly, according to the American Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA.

Animal shelter facts

  • Each year, approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized; 1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats.
  • Approximately 2.7 million shelter animals are adopted each year; 1.4 million dogs and 1.3 million cats.
  • Nearly 650,000 animals that enter shelters as strays are returned to their owners, including more than 540,000 dogs and 100,000 cats.
  • Of the dogs entering shelters, approximately 35 percent are adopted, 31 percent are euthanized and 26 percent are returned to their owner.
  • Of the cats entering shelters, approximately 37 percent are adopted, 41 percent are euthanized and less than 5 percent are returned to their owners.
  • Dogs and cats that are pets generally live longer, healthier lives than strays.
  • Only 10 percent of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered, while 83 percent of pet dogs and 91 percent of pet cats are spayed or neutered.
  • According to the American Humane Association, the most common reasons why people relinquish or give away their dogs is because their place of residence does not allow pets or they no longer have enough time for their pet due to a separation or divorce. The most common reasons for cats are that they were not allowed in the residence and allergies.

For more information about the St. George Animal Shelter and future events, contact: St. George Animal Shelter | Facebook | Telephone 435-627-4350 | 605 E. Waterworks Road, St. George.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

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2 Comments

  • Henry November 27, 2016 at 6:22 pm

    Thank you adopters, these animals will provide you unconditional love for the rest of their/your lives!

    For the dog adopters: don’t forget to register your contact info for your micro-chipped dog on-line, so you can be easily reached if your dog is lost.

  • ladybugavenger November 28, 2016 at 9:57 am

    I found a lady bug in my truck right now. I named it ladybugavenger2 the return….true story

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