JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville fairgrounds is the place to be this weekend for families looking for a furry new addition.
Area shelters along with Animal Care and Protective Services are holding the first annual Mega Adoption event. More than 800 dogs and cats are up for adoption. Shelters are filled with animals that arrived recently because of Tropical Storm Debby.
"The Tuesday after the storm they had 108 dogs turned in during one day. So what that creates is more animals coming in that are getting adopted out, and then there are decisions to be made and we don't want to do that. Nobody wants to do that. We're asking the community to come out adopt, let's clear out these shelters so all these guys can find homes," said Dianne Wiles of No More Homeless pets.
"We have so many homeless pets. We still have a euthanasia rate especially that we would love to not only diminish, but completely wipe out. We don't want to have any pets that go euthanized or homeless for a second straight period of time," said Barbara Sprague of Safe Animal Shelter.
This weekends mega event can go along way in helping get the euthanasia rate down. Adoption fees are only $25 and all pets will be micro-chipped, spayed/neutered and vaccinated. The mandatory city license fee is included. Active and retired military personnel will pay no adoption fee.
The mega adoption event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.