With a goal to find homes for 175 of its animals, the Randolph County Humane Society has kicked off its seventh annual Iams-sponsored Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive.
Homes 4 the Holidays "is a program designed to place animals in homes during the holiday season," Randolph County Humane Society Shelter Manager Kelly Scheidegger said. "For most shelters, including Randolph County, it is the busiest time for adoptions.
"We had 18 adoptions for the first week," Scheidegger said. "Our goal last year was 125 and we had 133 adoptions. We are hoping for more this year but we started earlier this year."
The RCHS will utilize off-site adoption events to try to increase adoptions. The first planned off-site adoption is Saturday at Big Lots on the Beverly Five-lane. RCHS will also utilize a new trailer that allows the shelter to take the animals out in bad weather and keep them warm.
RCHS considers off-site adoptions as a win-win event because it brings people to the business and helps the pets find homes.
"During this time of the year, many families bring pets into their home," Scheidegger said. "There is no better gift for homeless pets.
The Helen Woodward Animal Center of San Diego County, Calif., started the Home 4 the Holidays adoption drive in 1999. Since then, the campaign has grown to include shelters and rescue groups from around the globe. More than 2,700 shelters participated last year.
According to Home 4 the Holidays Web site, www.animalcenter.org/home4theholidays/about.aspx, the adoption drive runs from Oct. 1, through Jan. 5 with a goal of 1 million adoptions through the participation of 3,000 organizations.
Last year, 491,612 pets found homes through the adoption drive. Shelters participated in the adoption drive from all 50 states and other countries including Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Guam, India, Iran, Iraq, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saint Lucia and Ukraine.
Businesses interested in hosting an off-site adoption event should call the RCHS at 636-7844. RCHS is also looking for individuals to provide foster homes for homeless pets.
