Every animal deserves a home, especially during the holiday season. That is why the Hall County Animal Shelter will celebrate the holiday season by waiving all adoption fees throughout the month of December to those who wish to welcome a new furry member to their family.
“At the end of the year, our goal is to clear the shelter and find loving homes for the holidays for all of our animals,” Hall County Animal Shelter Manager Stephanie Maloch said. “In the past, we have had tremendous success reaching that goal by waiving our adoption fees for the entire month of December, and we are doing it again this year.”
Empty the Shelters
The program called “Empty the Shelters” is sponsored by The Bissell Pet Foundation. From December 1 to December 17, The Bissell Pet Foundation will pay the cost of adoption fees. For the remainder of the month, the shelter will cover the cost through their shelter’s “Santa Paws” campaign.
“While we do want to remove barriers to ensure pets make it home in time for the holidays, we still want people to remember that adopting a pet is a long-term commitment. Families need to consider all of the factors that come with being a pet owner before deciding to adopt because we don’t want these pets to end up back at our shelter,” Maloch said.
Factors to consider
Interested families should consider the following factors before adopting a pet:
1. Gifts are great, but surprises are not. Make sure the intended recipient is serious about wanting a pet and is prepared to care for them. If a person is caught off guard with a new pet, they may not be ready for the commitment. Even better than gifting them a pet you chose, give them a card inviting them to go to the shelter to meet or pick their new family member. This ensures a good match of energy, temperament, and personality for the pet and new owner.
2. Ensure the whole family is ready for the responsibility. Children won’t always keep up with the responsibility of pet ownership. Although they may be the most excited to have a new furry family member, everyone in the family should be prepared to provide care for the new pet.
3. Verify holiday plans. Are there plans to travel? Will there be lots of company coming and going? Transitioning to a new home can be stressful, so ensure there is time during the holidays to make your new pet feel welcome and comfortable.
4. Consider life after the holidays. While everyone in the house may be on break from school and work for the holidays, it’s important to keep in mind what the family routine is once everyone returns to their schedule.
To meet your new best friend, stop by the Hall County Animal Shelter Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or visit the Animal Shelter online anytime to browse adoptable pets.
