Dog Days of Summer Adoption Event Features $10 Pit Bulls

Animal Shelters generally operate with a skeleton crew, not by choice, have limited funding, and are the daily recipients of neglected, abandoned, and abused animals that no one else will take responsibility for.

To try and avoid excessive euthanasia from overpopulation, the San Angelo Animal Shelter, located at 3142 N. US Highway 67, is always looking to try and have adoption events that are affordable for the general public. James Flores, Assistant Director of Neighborhood and Family Services for the shelter, said, " This Saturday, July 23, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., we will be spotlighting Pit Bulls, [and] having what we call a 'Pit Party'."

 

"This is the second annual event, and last year, we had about 30 dogs that went out (were homed)," Flores explained. "There is an application process, and if one lives in an apartment or rental house, the shelter needs to verify that it's okay with the apartment complex or the landlord that the pets are approved for residence. As long as the contact information is good, the process doesn't take that long to verify. While people are waiting for their application to be processed, they can enjoy a number of festivities on site. We will have various barbecue cook offs going on; there will be bouncy houses; live music will be performed by Austin band Long White Lines,; and a local DJ will also be there for entertainment. Additionally, there will be a Taco Truck, food vendors, and information booths."

Flores noted that there's even a dunking booth he will be sitting in. The vendors are donating their time and wares, and the proceeds will go to the animal shelter to help with daily costs.

"All Pit Bull dogs are $10, and are fully vetted, spayed/neutered, inoculated and micro-chipped," said Flores. "In some cases, those who haven't been fixed will be set up with an appointment to do so at a later time. Any other animal at the shelter that has been there 15 days or longer can be adopted as well. We probably have 120-130 dogs and cats, ready to go, and that's why we try to do these adoption events--to find them new homes. One of the problems we have is, when we try to get to a reputable kill rate, we start getting overpopulated; it's just one of the downsides of trying to save everything."  

Several months ago, a private citizen, Jenn McConn took it upon herself to help raise funds for affordable adoptions (see story here), but those funds have since been depleted. Flores said he had met an individual at the 4th of July Pops Concert who made a $1,000 donation to the shelter to help set off some of the expenses with this adoption event.

"That money will take care of about 80 dogs, and the shelter will have to absorb the rest, but it's a start and very much appreciated," Flores stated.

Many people don't realize that it costs in excess of $2,000 a month to feed 130 animals, so the staff appreciates any assistance San Angeloans can provide.

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Flores said, "We take donations all the time, and anything always helps. We also have a low cost spay and neuter program that is based off of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, where the individual would pay anywhere for $10 to $50 to adopt a pet. We've even hired a veterinarian and the majority of dogs are altered upon adoption already."  

As for microchipping, there will be a station at the event with the low cost of $13. This is a one time fee with no annual rates. However, if the pet owner moves, there may be an administrative fee to change the address.

 Flores concluded, "As for the Pit Bull breed, they are a very strong breed; it's all in how you raise them. I've seen some smaller breeds that are aggressive as with any breed, but again, it comes back on responsible pet ownership. We take in about 700 animals a month in this place. It's different than when I was growing up. We were taught that when you take on a pet, it's for their lifetime and you don't give up on them.  We didn't create these dogs and cats; the community did. It's a challenge to relocate and save them, but we do the best we can." 

For more information, go to the C.O.S.A. website and click on "Animal Services FAQ," and check out the San Angelo Animal Shelter's Facebook page.