FAAS to take part in first-ever statewide adopt-a-pet day
If you’ve been thinking about adopting an adorable pet, this is the weekend to do it! All adoptions are FREE this Saturday, June 1, at Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS), thanks to the first-ever California Adopt-a-Pet Day. The statewide event involves more than 170 animal welfare organizations in the state offering free adoptions at their shelters or out in their communities.
“We are excited to be joining the first-ever California Adopt-a-Pet Day,” says FAAS CEO John L. Lipp. “We look forward to working with our community to raise awareness about the issues of overcrowding in animal shelters throughout California. Even in the city of Alameda, we’ve seen an increase of 37% in animals entering the shelter over this time period two years ago. This will be a special day for everyone involved, including all of our amazing adoptable pets!”
The large influx of animals being brought into shelters in recent years is due to a severe nationwide shortage of veterinary professionals as well as a confluence of other factors, including inflation, ongoing impact from Covid, and pet-friendly housing restrictions. Many communities in California do not have access to affordable veterinary care, including spay and neuter services.
California Adopt-a-Pet Day is being managed by CalAnimals, an organization that focuses on the success of California animal welfare and sheltering organizations in meeting the needs of animals and people in their communities. The event is also supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the San Francisco SPCA.
Working together, the goal of the statewide initiative is to find loving homes for 2,024 shelter pets across California on June 1. The ASPCA will is providing funds to cover the cost of the free adoptions at participating shelters.
“California shelters are facing enormous pressures due to overcrowding conditions, as the number of animals entering shelters is outpacing those leaving,” said Jill Tucker, CEO of CalAnimals. “By increasing adoption demand and encouraging pet-ready families to visit their local shelter first, we can make a change.”
Tucker noted that this unprecedented and collaborative statewide effort can help reduce the number of animals in our shelters while also providing loving, caring families for our most vulnerable pets. “There has never been a better time or better selection of incredible animals ready for new homes, and we know the people of California will rise to this challenge,” she said.
The adorable animals in these photos are just some of the wonderful pets you can meet—and adopt for FREE—this Saturday, June 1, from noon to 4 p.m. at the FAAS shelter, 1590 Fortmann Way.
