County-wide pet adoption event set for this weekend

TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - The Pima Animal Care Center is teaming up with four other local shelters to host a county-wide adoption event at several locations on Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16.

According to a news release from the PACC, animal shelters are taking care of “unreasonably” high numbers of animals, meaning they’re running out of places to keep them.

Monica Dangler, PACC’s Director of Animal Services, hopes the event will show the large number of pets in Pima County that need homes.

“On any given day, PACC has around 600 pets at the shelter, along with 1,200 in foster care,” she was quoted as saying. “Plus, the shelter takes in anywhere from 50 to 100 pets every day. This doesn’t even include the number of people who are rehoming their pets. Pima County is full of pets that need homes.”

The Pima Animal Care Center’s event will take place from noon to 7 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at 4000 North Silverbell Road.

Other shelters include:

The Animal League of Green Valley from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days at 1600 West Duval Mine Road.
Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter and Sanctuary from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at 5278 East 21st Street.
Humane Society of Southern Arizona from noon to 7 p.m. both days at 635 West Roger Road.
Southern Arizona Cat Rescue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at PetSmart at 4374 North Oracle Road.

The goal is to find homes for 400 over the next few days.

Thousands of pets will be up for adoption. Adoption fees vary from shelter to shelter.

The Hermitage will be offering same-day adoption, with no appointment necessary. On Saturday, the Hermitage will also hold an “adoption Eggstravaganza,” featuring an egg hunt for kids, games, activities and food.

Summer is the busiest season for shelters and rescues across southern Arizona, in part due to breeding during warmer months and escaping when families are on vacation. Some shelters, like PACC, are also managing pets who come from overwhelmed caregivers or hoarding situations.

Those who would like to help but cannot adopt or foster can donate money, pet food, toys, treats, blankets, towels and other pet care items.