TEMPLE, Texas — Animal shelters across Central Texas are constantly overcrowded and in dire need of people to adopt animals.
Temple Animal Shelter has been dealing with kennels and 100% capacity for months and not enough people coming in to adopt them.
”The amount of cats and dogs we get in is the number of cats and dogs that go out, but we're still at full capacity,” said Richard Morales, Temple Animal Control officer. “So, by the time they go out we're still full and we're still trying to find them homes.”
Now just in time for National Dog Day, the shelter is holding a free pet adoption event on Saturday from 12- 4 p.m.
”We have the 'Clear the Shelter' event here at the animal shelter,” said Nohely Mackowiak, public relations coordinator for the City of Temple. “It's an event for anyone...come pick any cat or dog for free and take home a new best friend.”
Though you can always get a dog from a breeder or pet store, some families feel adoption is a better way to go.
”There's so many in need,” said one Temple mom adopting a dog for her son. “There's always puppies for sale but all the shelters are extremely full, and they really need good homes, and you can actually find some really great babies.”
Sometimes that four-legged friend you find at the shelter is more than a pet, it’s a new member of the family.
”Shelter dogs have a lot of love to give. I think they know you rescued them and they’re worth a shot,” said one Temple resident adopting a dog after losing the one she had. “My last dog was a rescue and I had him for 13 years, and it was the best money I ever spent.”
No matter what shelter you are at, there is a variety of dogs looking for a forever home, and if a dog’s not what you’re looking for, they have plenty of cats to choose from.
”Whether you come in for a dog you might leave with a cat,” said Morales. “All these animals are going to have a home eventually. Just come in and take a look is all I can say and give them a chance because they all have a lot of love to give.”
They’re just waiting for someone to love them back.
”I hope I can make him feel safe and loved,” said a Temple resident adopting a dog. “I got my last dog from a shelter too and I always told [her dog], 'I will never leave you' and I'm going to tell him that too.”
Pet adoptions are free on Saturday but if you don't want to wait until then to meet the next member of your family, get one at half price right now.
