Thursday January 3, 2008

A record number of animals were adopted from Metro Animal Services last month – a 44 percent increase over the shelter’s previous record. In December, 206 pets were adopted, including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters and one potbellied pig. The earlier record was 143 animals.

Dr. Gilles Meloche, director of Metro Animal Services, challenged the shelter staff to reach 200 adoptions for December. Traditionally, winter months are slower for the shelter -- 132 animals were adopted in December 2006.

“I knew we could find good homes for these animals,” Meloche said. “We just had to find ways to remind families that shelter animals should be their first choice when searching for new pets.”

Meloche encouraged a promotion that significantly lowered the cost of adoption for dogs and cats. Staffers worked to improve awareness of the available adoption packages.

Along with the higher numbers of adoptions, euthanasia dropped 12 percent and the number of pets returned to their owners was up 23 percent compared to December 2006.

“This is great news for everyone involved -- the 206 homeless animals, their new families, the shelter staff and our volunteers,” said Jackie Gulbe, assistant director for community relations. “Everyone worked hard to increase our adoptions, and it paid off. We’re looking forward to placing more of our wonderful animals in new, loving homes and to breaking more records in 2008.”

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