More than 300 animals will be available for adoption during this year’s Mega Adoptathon, which will be held at the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society.
By Erica Hartsfield/MicroMemphis reporter
Residents of the University District as well as others throughout the Memphis area have the opportunity to participate in the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society’s Second Annual Mega
Adoptathon at the shelter located at 935 Farm Road, Memphis.
This 36-hour Adoptathon, sponsored by Hollywood Feed, starts today at 8 a.m. and continues through Saturday, April 6. Adoptions will range anywhere from free to $36. Other participants in the event include Blue Sky Dog Rescue and Memphis Animal Services.
Katie Pemberton, a volunteer dog walker at the Humane Society, said that the Humane Society wanted to have a day where shelters and rescue centers could come out and contribute to this event, but what is most important is that the community is in attendance.
Residents of the University District as well as others throughout the Memphis area have the opportunity to participate in the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society’s Second Annual Mega
Adoptathon at the shelter located at 935 Farm Road, Memphis.
This 36-hour Adoptathon, sponsored by Hollywood Feed, starts today at 8 a.m. and continues through Saturday, April 6. Adoptions will range anywhere from free to $36. Other participants in the event include Blue Sky Dog Rescue and Memphis Animal Services.
Katie Pemberton, a volunteer dog walker at the Humane Society, said that the Humane Society wanted to have a day where shelters and rescue centers could come out and contribute to this event, but what is most important is that the community is in attendance.
“What’s really important to us is that people adopt,” she said.
Pemberton said that it is important to note that, though the price of adoption is less than the $96 that it costs to adopt dogs or the $90 for cats, having a pet is certainly does not come without cost.
“It’s important to let people know that no animal is going to be free,” she said.
For those who might be concerned about the lower adoption fees, Pemberton said the Humane Society reassures that the same measures that typically apply to adoptions will not change.
“A lot of people when they hear free adopt they get really concerned about people taking animals that don’t have good intentions for them,” she said. “We’ll be screening these applicants as we would any other applicants.”
Pemberton said the discounted prices will apply to the Humane Society’s animals and not the animals that other organizations will be providing. Between midnight tonight and sunrise Saturday, April 6, adoptions for Humane Society animals will be free.
One volunteer for the event, Wesley Newsome, said that he has hopes of moving to the University District next year to attend the University of Memphis. He said whether this event decreases the number of stray animals roaming the University-area streets depends on the cooperation of people around the city.
“Whether an event like this would help strays in the area or not depends on the turnout,” he said.
“We would love for people all over the city, the county even, to show up in force and take every little guy and gal home.”
Newsom added that this would also be an excellent learning experience for anyone who needs to know more about what it means to own a pet.
“People can still show up and learn about the importance of spaying and neutering their current pets to prevent more strays from walking the streets of Memphis,” he said. “Pet-owners and adopters can also learn about micro-chipping their pets to prevent them from becoming a stray in the event of the pet becoming lost or running away.”
Newsom said that, in addition to educating people on pet ownership, attending the Adoptathon will give potential adopters the chance to experience the joy that animals bring to the lives of many.
“Adoptathons are important in the fact that these events can educate and help residents grow a little more,” he said. “Even more, adding an additional member to your family is an enriching experience all on its own. The love, responsibility, and stress-relief that comes with adopting a pet is important and rewarding for everyone,” he said.
The Humane Society will have about 250 to 300 of their own animals available for
adoption. Between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday is when the other participating shelters and rescue groups will bring more than 100 animals for adoption.
Pemberton said that, though more than 90 animals were adopted last year, it is very difficult to control the number of animals that may never find homes. However, help from the community can definitely lessen the problem.
“Something that we say a lot is that we cannot adopt our way out of the overpopulation problem in Memphis,” she said. “I just think that, given that there are so many that are in need, I really do think that it is everyone’s responsibility to be a part of the solution.”
Pemberton said that it is important to note that, though the price of adoption is less than the $96 that it costs to adopt dogs or the $90 for cats, having a pet is certainly does not come without cost.
“It’s important to let people know that no animal is going to be free,” she said.
For those who might be concerned about the lower adoption fees, Pemberton said the Humane Society reassures that the same measures that typically apply to adoptions will not change.
“A lot of people when they hear free adopt they get really concerned about people taking animals that don’t have good intentions for them,” she said. “We’ll be screening these applicants as we would any other applicants.”
Pemberton said the discounted prices will apply to the Humane Society’s animals and not the animals that other organizations will be providing. Between midnight tonight and sunrise Saturday, April 6, adoptions for Humane Society animals will be free.
One volunteer for the event, Wesley Newsome, said that he has hopes of moving to the University District next year to attend the University of Memphis. He said whether this event decreases the number of stray animals roaming the University-area streets depends on the cooperation of people around the city.
“Whether an event like this would help strays in the area or not depends on the turnout,” he said.
“We would love for people all over the city, the county even, to show up in force and take every little guy and gal home.”
Newsom added that this would also be an excellent learning experience for anyone who needs to know more about what it means to own a pet.
“People can still show up and learn about the importance of spaying and neutering their current pets to prevent more strays from walking the streets of Memphis,” he said. “Pet-owners and adopters can also learn about micro-chipping their pets to prevent them from becoming a stray in the event of the pet becoming lost or running away.”
Newsom said that, in addition to educating people on pet ownership, attending the Adoptathon will give potential adopters the chance to experience the joy that animals bring to the lives of many.
“Adoptathons are important in the fact that these events can educate and help residents grow a little more,” he said. “Even more, adding an additional member to your family is an enriching experience all on its own. The love, responsibility, and stress-relief that comes with adopting a pet is important and rewarding for everyone,” he said.
The Humane Society will have about 250 to 300 of their own animals available for
adoption. Between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday is when the other participating shelters and rescue groups will bring more than 100 animals for adoption.
Pemberton said that, though more than 90 animals were adopted last year, it is very difficult to control the number of animals that may never find homes. However, help from the community can definitely lessen the problem.
“Something that we say a lot is that we cannot adopt our way out of the overpopulation problem in Memphis,” she said. “I just think that, given that there are so many that are in need, I really do think that it is everyone’s responsibility to be a part of the solution.”
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