Pet adoption event starts Friday

Shelters need help from community to remain at no-kill status

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Some Jacksonville animal shelters are bursting at the seams, but residents have a way to help this weekend, with adoptions offered for just $25.

About 150 dogs from Animal Care and Protective Services will be at the Mega Adoption event this weekend at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds.

"You are saving a life when you adopt from us," said Nikki Harris, division chief of ACPS.

There will be more than 1,000 available pets -- at least 300 animals from Animal Control. All pets available for adoption are spade, neutered microchipped and vaccinated.

If you've been unsure about adopting, Harris has some advice.

"Take the dog outside, spend time with the dog," she said. "We have rooms where you can spend time with them. Most of the barking is just because they are so excited to see you and they want to get out of that cage."

Harris said adopting is life changing.

"Pets are parts of people's families," she said. "They aren't just stuck outside. People come to the adoption events and they come here to adopt to find another member of their family, not to just, somebody to put outside."

Previous Mega Adoption events have helped the shelters adopt out in mass to make room for incoming pets.

Jacksonville has been at no-kill status this year, which means that 90 percent of the animals that come into a Jacksonville shelter leave alive. But the city needs help to keep it that way.

If you are even thinking about it, go to the adoption event Friday through Sunday. You may find a new friend and family member.