From Aug. 1 through Tuesday, a total of 146 cats and dogsfrom the Denton Animal Shelter found homes. A total of 113 adoptions were recorded through Sunday, while 33 animals found new homes Tuesday alone — record numbers of adoptions in any seven-day period, officials said.
A number of new pet owners stopped during the weekend to find their new family member as part of events sponsored by Denton Animal Shelter Foundation Inc., in partnership with the city shelter for the ASPCA $100,000 Rachael Ray Challenge.
In addition to practically emptying the Denton shelter, according to a news release, cats and dogs were being transferred to Denton from All American Dogs in Pilot Point as well as the Wise County and Collin County shelters.
The outreach is part of the national competition to win from $5,000 to $125,000 for the Denton shelter, according to Dr. Joyce Swegle, board program chairwoman for the foundation, who also is serving as the challenge project leader.
After surviving the first level of competition, Denton is being asked to increase its adoptions by 300 pets from Aug. 1 through Oct. 31 for a total of 1,182 pet adoptions. The foundation’s total cost for the past weekend’s events of offering pets at lower costs was about $10,000.
“It is a remarkable achievement that Denton’s small outdated shelter is in a temporary position to help other shelters, save more pets and have record levels of adoptions,” said Bette Sherman, chairwoman and co-founder of the foundation. She lauded the team effort of donors and volunteers as well as the public and private partnerships.
Thanks to donors’ generosity and board members who are covering fees for veterinary services, the special adoption rates will continue periodically throughout the competition. The shelter also has several other special rates and dates. Visit www.dentonasf.com for information or follow it at www.Facebook.com/DentonASF and www.Twitter.com/DentonASF .
— Staff report
