CUMMING, Ga. — From now until September 3, Forsyth County Animal Shelter is waiving adoption fees for all pets at the shelter.
“All the animals will be micro-chipped, given age-appropriate vaccinations, altered and ready to go home,” Cindy Iacopella, the shelter manager, said. “That will save [people] up to $1,000 or more with vet bills, by having it done here at the shelter.”
The adoption fee is usually $85 per animal, but during the "Summer of Love" campaign, prosective pet parents can bring home an animal at no cost.
Iacopella stresses the importance of adopting animals from shelters versus shopping at pet stores. "We advocate to adopt, don't shop," Lacopella said. "You’re saving a life by coming to a shelter and adopting a pet, buying an animal just promotes puppy mill breeding which we are trying to end.”
Last year, Forsyth County Animal Shelter ran a similar promotion called Home for the Holidays in December. More than 300 animals were adopted. They’re hoping to have the same success this summer.
"We are very excited to give residents a chance to bring home a pet at no cost,” said Lacopella. “All of the pets in the shelter deserve a good home and we are hopeful that this promotion will help families bring a new companion home this summer.”
The shelter is currently housing roughly 50 dogs and 100 cats, but thanks to recent adoptions, the amount and types of pet available is constantly changing.
“Every day is a new day here,” Lacopella said. “We get rabbits, we get guinea pigs, we get birds from time to time. We've had a horse, a goat, we've had them all.”
The Forsyth County Animal Shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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