‘Clear the Shelter’ event a success at Bay County Animal Control

 

 Bay County Animal Control celebrated 100 percent success at the annual Clear the Shelter Day event held Saturday, April 29,with all 19 available cats and dogs adopted out to new homes.

“Clear the Shelter Day was an enormous success,” said Bay County Executive Jim Barcia, who attended the adoption event held at the shelter located at 800 Livingston Ave. in Bay City. “Seeing all of these animals placed in good homes is very rewarding and couldn’t have happened without the dedication of our excellent staff and volunteers.”

Bay County Animal Control Manager Michael Halstead said the success of event is “a good result of partnering” due to the shelter’s newly-established relationship with All About Animals Rescue, a non-profit animal welfare organization working to stop pet homelessness. All About Animals partnered with Bay County this spring to provide low-cost to no-cost spay neuter services.

Halstead said All About Animals picked up the dogs and cats on Thursday, April 27 to be sterilized at their facilities in Warren, and the animals were given rabies vaccinations if needed as well. The animals were then returned to Bay County the next day. In addition to the three dogs and 9 cats at Bay County Animal Control, two dogs from Midland County Humane Society participated in the event, as well as three dogs and two cats from the Bay County Humane Society.

The Bay County Board of Commissioners approved waiving the$27 adoption fee to adopt an animal for the event, and each animal left for new homes with swag bags filled with treats  and supplies.

“One of my main goals for Bay County is for the shelter to continue this transition to a no-kill facility,” said Barcia. “This partnership with All About Animals, combined with the success of Saturday’s event, brings us another step closer to that goal, and improving the quality of life for these animals.”

Debra Russell, Administrative Services Director for Bay County, was at the event when the last dog was adopted by a family with young children. “It was really sweet to see that dog so happy with his new family,” she said. “They were out in the play area taking photos and getting to know each other, and the volunteers had put little bandanas on the dogs – they looked so cute.”

“Many thanks to the hard-working volunteers who helped make this event possible,” Barcia said. “We are always appreciative of those who dedicate their time to important causes, such as animal welfare in Bay County.This event would not have been successful without their perseverance to help these animals find good homes.”

 

Bay County Animal Control is seeking volunteers to assist in the care and welfare of dogs and cats at the Animal Control Shelter -volunteers must be 18 years of age and willing to exercise dogs in walking them and/or socializing with them in an exercise area. Those looking forward to their involvement in these areas should visit the Shelter, 800 Livingston Ave.,Bay City, MI, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 12: p.m., on Saturday. Bay County Animal Control is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.