North Texas animal rescue groups are among the more than 1,000 organizations nationwide celebrating the national Adoptathon 2006 this weekend with special events intended to help find loving homes for as many pets as possible.
Operation Kindness, a no-kill shelter located in Carrollton, offers extended hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, with more than 180 dogs and cats of all ages available for adoption, according to executive director Johnnie England.
The shelter will also offer refreshments, free pet care books for children, tours of the shelter and more, England said.
In addition, every pet adopted will receive a free gift pack and their new owners will receive a complimentary photo of their new pet in a commemorative folder.
The cost to adopt a dog or puppy at Operation Kindness is $135. The cost for cats or kittens is $110. Anyone who adopts two pets at the same time and senior citizens age 65 and over receive a $20 discount.
All animals at Operation Kindness are vaccinated, microchipped, spayed or neutered, tested for heartworms or feline leukemia and given a collar and ID tag. Dogs receive a free leash and cats go home in a cardboard carrier.
To see a photo of one of the many pets available at Operation Kindness, look for Shyla the cat, the Pet of the Week, in this issue of Dallas Voice.
Operation Kindness is located at 3201 Earhart Drive, near Midway Road and Keller Springs road in Carrollton. For more information call 972-418-PAWS or go to the website at www.operationkindness.org.
The SPCA of Texas is also participating in the Adoptathon this weekend with its “Dog and Cat Classic.”
SPCA shelters in the area will keep “score” on how many dogs and how many cats are adopted, and the shelters will “compete” to see which one has the most total adoptions over the weekend.
The shelters and offsite adoption locations will also feature a “Big Dog Special,” with dogs weighing more than 35 pounds available for a fee of only $50, instead of the usual $90 adoption fee.
The “Big Dog Special” continues through the month of May.
Other fees are $80 for cats and kittens, and $185 for dogs under 36 pounds and puppies.
The SPCA’s Dealey Animal Care Center is located at 362 S. Industrial Blvd. will be open from noon to 6 p.m. this weekend for the Adoptathon. The Phoebe Sherwood Perry Animal Care Center is located at 8411 FM 720 in McKinney. It is also open from noon to 6 p.m. each day this weekend.
Offsite adoptions locations include PetSmart stores at 5500 Greenville Ave. in Dallas, 1330 North Town East Blvd. in Mesquite and 2309 West Interstate 20 in Grand Prairie on Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and at 1451 S. Loop 288 in Denton, 5500 Greenville Ave. in Dallas and 1330 North Town East Blvd. N Mesquite from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 2309 West Interstate 20 in Grand Prairie from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
To see an example of the pets available for adoption from the SPCA, log on to www.dallasvoice.com and watch the Thursday edition of 2@2 news.
For more information about the SPCA, call the Dallas shelter at
214-651-9611 or the McKinney shelter at 972-562-7297, or go online to www.spca.org.
PET OF THE WEEK: MEET SHYLA
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Shyla is a 7-year-old brown-and-white tabby. She was abandoned by her owner and deserves a loving home. Shyla is a gentle and quiet kitty who is good with other cats. She will make a loving companion. Shyla is spayed, vaccinated, microchipped and negative for FeLV/FIV.
Dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are available for adoption from Operation Kindness, 3201 Earhart Drive (near Keller Springs Road and Midway Road), Carrollton. The no-kill shelter is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (until 8 p.m. Thursday) and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Cost to adopt is $110 for cats and kittens and $135 for dogs and puppies. The cost includes spay or neuter surgery, microchipping, vaccinations and other tests. Those 65 and above and those who adopt two pets at the same time get a $20 discount. For more information call 972-418-PAWS, or visit www.operationkindness.org.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, May 5, 2006.