Have you ever wondered how many animals are homeless in our area? You might be surprised by the numbers.
Just in the immediate Baltimore area, BARCS and BCAS (the Baltimore County Animal Shelter) take in about 15,000 dogs and cats every year! As open admission shelters, they must accept every pet that comes through the door, whether surrendered by a citizen or brought in by Animal Control.
Intake is constant. Some describe it as a faucet that never stops running. And it’s always worse in the summer months. Sometimes there aren’t enough cages. Lack of space can make some euthanasia unavoidable.
Luckily, adoption has become much more popular than it used to be, so some of these pets are taken in by loving families. But adoption alone puts only a dent in the number of shelter pets.
So, shelters also network with rescue organizations that pull animals and find them homes.
And they hold off-site adoptions at all kinds of locations and events. But it’s still not enough.
This called for a bigger solution, and that’s why Mega Adoption events have gained popularity in communities all over the country.
Mega Adoption events bring multiple shelters and sometimes rescues together in one location. On the day of the event, they transport dozens, hundreds, sometimes even a thousand animals to one large place, so potential adopters can see them all at once.
These events are happenings, often covered by the media, and draw large crowds of people.
Baltimore had its first Mega Adoption event last summer at Timonium Fairgrounds, bringing together BARCS, BCAS, the MD SPCA, the Baltimore Humane Society and the Humane Society of Harford County.
It was so successful, they held a second one in the fall at White Marsh Mall, and just had a third Mega Adoption Event at Timonium Fairgrounds on June 10th.
Jen Swanson, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Harford County, says, “Every time, we learn a little bit more about ways to make the event better…it’s just an amazing experience for everyone involved.”
On June 10th, people lined up long before the doors opened. Inside, staff and volunteers from the five shelters set up in separate areas with a total of 193 dogs and cats (all spayed or neutered and vetted) available for immediate adoption. Adoption costs were waived.
The mood was decidedly happy as adopters and animals got acquainted. They exchanged hugs and kisses. When all was done, 152 pets found new homes.
Shelter workers were thrilled. They returned to many empty cages at their facilities. Adopters were overjoyed to have new companions. And the biggest winners, of course, were the pets that now have loving homes.
It’s incredible to watch these events unfold. See for yourself in this short video.
See how Baxter, Luna, Whiskey and Ziggy did as models for the cover of Jmore's January 2019 Pets Issue.
We celebrate those four-legged friends and other furry creatures who live among us and bring so much joy and meaning to our lives.
Dogs (especially Goldendoodles, it seems) and cats are well-represented in the Jmore family.
Animals have a way of worming their way into our hearts and making us behave in ways we normally wouldn’t.