Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) is partnering with Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of cats and dogs in shelters by 2025, for the fifth National Adoption Weekend happening June 30 to July 2. The WCRAS will be offering free adoptions for all dogs, cats and other small adoptable pets throughout the nationwide adoption weekend and extending that through July 4.
“Now more than ever, the support from national organizations helps to highlight our need while making it simple for the community to once again come out to assist us with our critical space issues for dogs, especially those over 25 pounds, and cats. Free adoptions for all of the adoptable pets will run through the 4th of July. We hope the national spotlight will help to reach even more members of our community about the benefits of adoption,” said Misty Valenta, animal services director.
The WCRAS will be closing early on July 4 and will operate from noon to 4 p.m., so that shelter staff can celebrate the holiday. The shelter is located at 1855 SE Inner Loop in Georgetown, TX, and interested adopters and fosters can preview all adoptable pets at wilcopets.org. All adopted animals will be spayed or neutered and will receive their age-appropriate vaccinations, a microchip that the shelter will update with your contact information upon adoption, plus a voucher for a free wellness exam at participating veterinary clinics.
Recent data released by Best Friends showed that in 2022, 57% of shelters in the U.S. were no-kill, but 378,000 dogs and cats were killed nationally largely due to a continued decrease in dog adoptions compared to pre-pandemic rates.
Shelters across the country are experiencing an increase in animal populations and adoption rates aren’t keeping pace, resulting in overflowing kennels. That’s why Best Friends Animal Society and nearly 600 shelter and rescue partners have joined together for the national event. By adopting a unique and loveable shelter pet, two lives are saved – that of the adopted cat or dog, and another that can now take their space in the shelter.
“We are excited to host our fifth National Adoption Weekend, encouraging the community to add a new pet to their home this summer,” said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society. “These warmer months can see some of the highest intakes in shelters, so it’s critical the shelter staff and volunteers have the support they need from the community. If you can, please adopt and foster. And if you already have pets, make sure they’re microchipped and spayed/neutered.”
At a time when so many shelters across the country are short-staffed and well over capacity, individuals can help save lives by choosing to adopt a deserving pet from a shelter or rescue group instead of purchasing from a breeder or store. If you can’t add to your family right now, you can still help by spaying or neutering your pets, fostering kittens or an adult dog, volunteering, donating, and advocating for proven lifesaving programming for local pets. For more information, visit https://wilcopets.org. Follow https://www.facebook.com/WilliamsonCountyAnimalShelter to learn more.