SCVNews.com | June 1: Inaugural California Adopt-a-Pet Day

The California Animal Welfare Association, the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced that the first California Adopt-a-Pet Day will take place on Saturday, June 1.

The statewide adoption day will feature more than 150 animal welfare sites in California offering free adoptions to find homes for 2,024 shelter animals. The ASPCA will provide funds to cover the costs of free adoptions at participating shelters. California animal welfare groups interested in participating in the event have until Friday, May 10 to register online at caadoptapetday.org.

“California shelters are under enormous pressure due to overcrowding, as the number of animals entering shelters exceeds the number leaving,” said Jill Tucker, CEO of CalAnimals. “By increasing demand for adoption and encouraging families ready for pets to visit their local shelter first, we can make a change. This unprecedented and collaborative statewide effort can help reduce the number of animals in our shelters while providing loving, caring homes for our most vulnerable pets. There has never been a better time or a better selection of incredible animals ready for new homes, and we know Californians will rise to this challenge.”

The large influx of animals brought into shelters in recent years is due to a severe national shortage of veterinary professionals and a confluence of other factors, such as inflation and pet-friendly housing restrictions. Many California communities lack access to affordable veterinary care, including spay and neuter services.

“Shelters are such integral parts of our communities – we are the place where families find their next cat or dog or get treatment for their beloved pets – and now we are asking for the community’s help,” said Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, CEO of the SF SPCA. “Working together, we can find homes for thousands of animals across the state. Californians are known for their compassion, empathy and caring. California Adopt-a-Pet Day is a perfect time to put those emotions into action.

“Shelters in California and across the country are facing an overpopulation crisis that requires the support and collaboration of state and local organizations working with communities to help our most vulnerable animals,” said Matt Bershadker, President & CEO of ASPCA. “The lifesaving impact of our collective efforts will be felt by the animals, participating organizations and communities across the state.”

California Adopt-a-Pet Day is administered by CalAnimals, an organization focused on the success of California animal welfare and shelter organizations in meeting the needs of animals and people in their communities.

The initiative is generously supported by the SF SPCA, a nonprofit organization working in San Francisco, the Central Valley and throughout California to ensure that every companion animal has access to quality medical care, compassionate shelter and a loving home, and the ASPCA , the longest-running animal welfare organization in North America working on the front lines to save, transform and protect the lives of millions of dogs, cats, equines and farm animals in the fight against animal cruelty and homelessness.

To find a participating animal shelter on California Adopt-a-Pet Day, visit https://caadoptapetday.org.

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