Orange County Government Public Information Officer
Email: PIO@ocfl.net

Orange County Animal Services Hosts Adopt-a-thon on Sunday, August 8

Longer Hours and Reduced Fees on Event Day, Goal of 80 Pet Adoptions

Orange County Animal ServicesOrange County, Fla. – While Animal Services experienced a dip in animal intakes in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, impounds have since returned to their normal rate.  The result is the shelter has been operating near capacity for most of the summer months. In an effort to find “furever” homes, Animal Services is hosting an adoption event and doubling its hours on Sunday, August 8, 2021. The event is being held in celebration of National Dog Month, which takes place in August, and International Cat Day, which is observed on the event day.

“Last year there was such a community push to help animals, to assist owners on the brink of surrendering, to foster animals in need of short-term placement and to adopt,” said Diane Summers, manager for Orange County Animal Services. “That resulted in our shelter receiving approximately 5,000 less animals than the year prior, which truly shocked us. We hoped this would be a lasting change, but unfortunately we’re right back to where we were with this year’s projected animal intakes at 15,000.”

Animal Services is typically open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays, but is expanding its adoption hours to 12 to 8 p.m. on the event day. Adoption fees will be reduced to $10 for all animals on this one day. Pet adoption fees include spay/neuter, initial vaccines and microchip identification.

With the event date being 8/8 and the shelter being open a full eight hours, a goal has been set at matching 80 pets with new homes.

“We’re caring for nearly 250 pets at the moment and just need help,” said Summers. “Since May we have teetered on the brink of being full and it would be such a relief to be able to place these adoptable pets, some of which have been with us for months, into homes.”

The shelter is hoping the event will be the extra push that long timers Cano, Coco and Gucci need. Each has been at the shelter for close to or more than 100 days.

Those interested in learning more can review the Facebook event page, the shelter’s adoption process and currently available pets.

About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.

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