Pets picked up by new families at Adopt-A-Thon
Published: March 26, 2007
The Billingses knew Scooter was the one.
“We just saw him and fell in love,” said Gainesville resident Holly Billings of the 2-year-old dog.
Scooter, a small dirty-blond shepherd mix, was one of about 110 pets adopted at the Lucky Pets Adopt-A-Thon 2007.
The event took place Saturday and Sunday on the South Lawn of The Oaks Mall. Maddie’s Pet Rescue Project of Alachua County, which is composed of six pet-rescue agencies, brought more than 200 cats and dogs for adoption.
The six agencies are working together under a 10-year grant to end the euthanasia of animals in Alachua County by 2011, said Chase Wiley, the coordinator of events for Maddie’s Pet Rescue Project of Alachua County.
Of the six agencies, Alachua County Animal Services is the only pet-rescue center that performs euthanasia. Because the shelter is county-funded, it’s legally required to put down animals when there is not enough space for them all, Wiley said.
“It’s unfortunate,” Wiley said. “We try not to let that happen. Animal services aren’t the bad guys.”
He said the six agencies constantly communicate with each other to figure out where to place animals in danger of euthanasia so that no animal is unnecessarily killed.
Instead, they try to find the pets permanent homes through projects like the Adopt-A-Thon.
Billings said she thinks it’s important to adopt shelter dogs because they need attention.
Some of the previously homeless pets at the event needed attention more than others.
Julie, a 5-year-old Persian cat, was missing a left eye and most of her hair was shaved off because it was so matted, but she still managed to get adopted Saturday.
She came from a home with a woman who had about 60 cats, said Kristen Marshall, the manager of Helping Hands Pet Rescue. Marshall said consequently, Julie had been neglected at her old home.
Wiley said animals like Julie are frequently adopted because they are unique and people fall in love with them.
As for Scooter, Billings said there is no better relationship than a boy and his dog. She thought adopting Scooter would be a good way for her 2-year-old son to learn about compassion while giving him a companion.
“I think they’re getting along beautifully,” she said as her son tugged Scooter’s red leash and walked him across the field.
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