[Chloé Tokar | Banner] Bowie, 9-week-old kitten at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in Riverside, meows loudly as people poke through his kennel to pet him. He is one of only a handful of animals available to adopt after a Black Friday event that offered free adoptions and found almost every animal at the facility a home.
Animals from across Riverside will be have the opportunity of finding a forever home for the holidays during an annual adoption event held at the City Hall Breezeway Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Home for the Holidays is an adoption event hosted by the city of Riverside and the Department of Animal Services. The event was created in an effort in finding shelter animals homes around the holidays. Mike Gardner, city council member, said the event is not only present in Riverside but is also held at different locations around the country.
Gardner has worked closely with the Department of Animal Services over the years and has a special place in his heart for animals.
“This is an event I look forward to every year because it gives people an opportunity to adopt an animal around the holidays and make the holiday brighter,” Gardner said.
In the past, the event has been successful in finding animals homes, as well as raising awareness about shelter animals’ situations. The event is a chance for people to talk to employees and learn about shelters and their residents. According to Gardner, 80 percent of dogs leave shelters alive, a stark contrast to the 80 percent of cats that are euthanized.
“This is a great opportunity to adopt a shelter dog or cat at a reduced price and save a life and enhance your own life,” said Lynn Anderson, council assistant to Gardner.
During the event there is special pricing on adoptions. Cats are $15 and dogs are $20, which also includes vaccinations, microchipping and spay or neutering services.
Tanya Sanchez, freshman political science major, is a fellow animal lover herself and has a 2-and-a-half-year-old rescue dog she adopted from the Inland Valley Humane Society three years ago.
“It’s a great thing,” Sanchez said. “Both the family and the animal benefit from the adoptions.”
Giving an animal a home not only saves a life, but also brings joy to any household.
