(Media release from Public Animal Welfare Services):
Public Animal Welfare Services (P.A.W.S.) and Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization, are teaming up for another adoption campaign to encourage people to choose adoption instead of purchasing their next pet. The Adoption Weekend begins Friday, September 16, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and continues through Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the P.A.W.S. facility located at 99 North Avenue, Rome.
“We are hoping to get some dogs and cats adopted to loving homes to help alleviate some strain on the shelter. We are critically full, and calls are made to the shelter daily for surrenders or to bring in stray animals. We just do not have the space to take them,” said Adoption Coordinator Allison Wright.
Recent data released by Best Friends showed that U.S. shelters were seeing an increase in animal intake and a decrease in pet adoptions from shelters. This has steadily turned into a crisis in the animal welfare community, where many shelters are over capacity.
Anyone considering adding a new pet to their family can make a difference by choosing to adopt instead of purchasing their pet.
“There is a growing shelter crisis across the country and the animal welfare community won’t just sit by and let innocent pets die,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. “In fact, it’s quite the opposite. We’re joining forces with our vast network of shelters and rescues across the country to host our third National Adoption Weekend since May to incentivize people to get out and adopt.”
Due to recent problems such as staffing shortages, limited shelter hours, decreased volunteers, and reduced adoption events, the time is now to help save lives by adopting a pet.
“We have proof that national promotions like the first two adoption weekends we did in May and July work,” said Castle. “Our July National Adoption Weekend saw close to 10,000 animals adopted in a three-day period.
“That’s why Public Animal Welfare Services is compelled to be a part of the upcoming National Adoption Weekend,“ said Director Jeff Mitchell.
For more information, please follow the Public Animal Welfare Services Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fcpaws