Animal Center Volunteers Raise Money to Sponsor Adoptions July 11-13
Eight-year old Charlie ended up at WCAC through no fault of his own. His previous family wasn’t able to take him with them as part of their move out of the country. He already knows all of the basic commands, is (reportedly) housetrained and enjoys walks. Charlie loves people, including young ones, but is selective about his four-legged friends. Visit Charlie and all the adorable adoptables at WCAC today!
Special event and activities planned to alleviate over crowdedness
According to information found on the Shelter Animals Count website, outcomes at animal rescues and shelters across Tennessee (and beyond) are not keeping pace with intake. For Williamson County Animal Center (WCAC), this trend is largely due to a significant drop in the number of adoptions compared to previous years. Director, Ondrea Johnson said that WCAC has only had three more intakes through May of 2024, however, there have been 130 fewer adoptions compared to 2023. The impact being felt more with dogs than cats.
“For the last several months, we have regularly had more adoptable dogs than kennels in our adoption area,” said Johnson. “So, we have been opening areas of the shelter to the public that typically only have dogs that are not yet available.” Johnson added that they are even seeing puppies grow up at the shelter, something that has rarely happened in the past.
While Johnson and her staff try to figure out and address the causes of this trend, WCAC volunteers are taking immediate action to help alleviate the over crowdedness. Initiated by long-time dog-walker Jennifer Biggs, WCAC’s volunteers have rallied to raise enough money to pay for 50 adoptions. Biggs is one of more than 200 volunteers who have already donated over 11,000 hours of their time this year to walk dogs and run playgroups as well as socialize cats at the shelter.
“As a volunteer, we get to know and love on these dogs like they are our own,” Biggs explained. “And, as much as we enjoy spending time with them, we want them to find their forever home as quickly as possible. It’s heartbreaking to see such wonderful animals who have so much to give stay here too long.” Biggs said that though volunteers are not necessarily familiar with the statistics, they knew that it was time for them to step up because of the unusual amount of stress they can see dogs experiencing.
As the result of her efforts and support of fellow volunteers, WCAC is waiving fees for the first 50 approved adopters beginning on Thursday, July 11 through Saturday, July 13 during what has been dubbed the “Clear the Halls with Love from the Vols” adoption event. Discounts apply to puppies, adult dogs and adult cats only, KITTENS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE. In addition to waived fees, there will be special activities, local animal-related vendors onsite for guests to enjoy and more:
- On July 11, the shelter will host a Playgroup Open House for visitors to learn how dogs socialize and get an up-close view of WCAC’s primary enrichment activity
- July 12 will feature various kid-themed activities, including “touch-a-truck” opportunities from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. plus face painting, sidewalk chalk and chances to meet puppies and dogs all day
- Food trucks will be onsite on July 13
WCAC is open to the public Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.; Saturday 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.; and closed Sundays. Hours may vary due to holidays and WCAC will be closed to the public on Thursday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. The center is located at 1006 Grigsby Hayes Court in Franklin.
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