The Castaic Animal Care Center helped locals adopt new pets Saturday during the “Clear the Shelters” pet adoption drive, a nationwide pet adoption day when animal shelters reduce or waive their fees.
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m the animal shelter reduced their adoption fee to $20 helping pet owners welcome new members into the family.
Assemblyman Dante Acosta teamed up with the shelter and paid the adoption fees for the first 16 adoptions.
“We want to make sure that pets go to a good home and that folks that are looking for that perfect family, that ‘furry friend’, are able to come out here to the Castaic shelter and find a good match,” said Acosta.
Acosta, who has adopted several dogs in the past, greeted prospective owners and sat in the play pens to watch homeless dogs find new owners.
Lead volunteer of the shelter, Clare Storey, walked around with a boa python—also up for adoption—in hand watching everyone meet and greet the animals.
“An event like this brings in the community and people can come and see all of the animals here and i think we’ve done 13 adoptions so far. Which is really good for us,” said Storey.
When asked about the difference between adopting a pet and acquiring one from a breeder, Storey said, “I think the importance of today is letting people know that we have fantastic animals in shelters. Twenty-five percent of animals in shelter are pure bred, and we’re seeing more and more.”
As of 1:30 p.m., 13 pets had been adopted with many more still available.
The animal shelter manager, Karen Stepp, also stood by to introduce pets and families.
“Our main focus is to adopt out as many adoptable dogs as we can,” said Stepp. “We encourage everybody to come down, and come find a friend.”
