The convention center filled this weekend with nearly 2,000 dogs and cats eagerly awaiting future homes, and potential adopters flocked to meet them.
Michelle Kung takes a look at a cat up for adoption during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
While the event cheerfully united pets and their new families, it underscored a serious problem in Houston: All local animal shelters are beyond capacity and the overcrowding crisis is critical.In 2019, the Mega Adoption resulted in 1,450 animal adoptions, according to Rene Vasquez, director of Fort Bend Animal Services. The event was canceled the past two years due to COVID-19, but Vasquez hopes this year’s event will see similar numbers.
Dog kennel runs are designed to have one dog per run. Most runs currently house four dogs, he said. Cramming too many animals into the runs spreads disease and increases the risk of injury to dogs and humans, he added, but the alternative is euthanasia or leaving dogs on the streets. Cory Stottlemyer, senior division manager for BARC, said that animals have been surrendered to shelters in alarming numbers since the pandemic began to wane.
The shelter workers hope that the adoptions from the weekend will ease some of the shelter burdens. “If we get 100 animals adopted today, it’s the tip of the iceberg,” said Don Specks, animal services manager for the city of Sugar Land. Grace Allen, 25, just moved to Houston and wanted companionship. On Saturday, she adopted a 4-month-old beagle mix puppy.Allen hasn’t decided on a name yet, but she’s thinking “Cairo” or “Latte,” a nod to the pup’s tri-colored brown, white and black coat. As she spoke, the puppy curled up into a ball in her arms and began to doze.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Salt Lake City mayor lauds Millcreek homeless shelter as ‘a historic plan’The shelter plan is drawing concern from neighbors, who think city officials could have been more transparent about the process.
Consulte Mais informação »
Texans to host Uvalde high school team at season openerThe Houston Texans will host the Uvalde high school football team and wear “Uvalde Strong” decals on their helmets when they open the season Sept. 11 against Indianapolis.
Consulte Mais informação »
Texans to host Uvalde high school team at season openerThe Houston Texans will host the Uvalde high school football team and wear “Uvalde Strong” decals on their helmets when they open the season Sept. 11 against Indianapolis.
Consulte Mais informação »
Milwaukee sisters missing; may be in the Chicago areaThe Milwaukee Police Department is asking for the public's help to locate three critically missing girls.
Consulte Mais informação »
2 men shot, critically wounded during argument in the LoopTwo men are critically wounded after being shot in the Loop Sunday just after midnight.
Consulte Mais informação »