GEORGETOWN – Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, the only shelter solely devoted to the lost and abandoned animals of Round Rock, Cedar Park, Hutto, Leander, and Williamson County, and Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to save the lives of cats and dogs in America’s shelters by 2025, are teaming up for a Holiday adoption extravaganza from Dec.
9 – 11. The collaborative weekend-long event encourages people to open up their homes to adoptable animals by choosing to adopt, not buy, their next pet.
Best Friends has partnered with over 600 shelters and rescues for the holiday campaign.
The three previous adoption weekends resulted in over 25,000 pets finding loving families.
“We are excited to take part in this nationwide adoption event to help pets find loving new homes. The holidays are a time of joy and cheer, and what’s fuller of joy and cheer than a new furry family member? That’s why we’re offering free adoptions for all animals for the duration of this event. “We can’t wait to fetch new best friends for as many families as possible,” said Misty Valenta, animal services director of the WCRAS.
WCRAS is open from noon to 6 p.m. daily and is located at 1855 SE Inner Loop in Georgetown, Texas. To preview adoptable pets, go to wilcopets.org. All adoptions include spay/ neuter, age-appropriate vaccines, and a microchip that WCRAS registers.
“There’s no better way to spread holiday cheer this holiday season than to adopt or foster a shelter pet in need,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. “By adopting a best friend, you’re giving one lucky dog or cat a home as well as creating space for another pet to be rescued. That means you become a lifesaver to two animals in need and there’s no better gift than that.”
Data released earlier this year by Best Friends showed that U.S. shelters saw an increase in animal intakes that adoptions couldn’t keep pace with. The animal welfare community is in crisis, and many shelters across the country are over capacity and are needing to make difficult decisions surrounding lifesaving efforts.
Anyone considering adding a new pet to their family can make a difference by choosing to adopt instead buying their pet.
National data trends show that 2022 has been a tough year for shelters. Across the country, shelters are struggling with higher intake, while live outcomes, such as adoptions, fosters and rescues are not keeping pace. This has led to a population imbalance, with more animals in shelters staying for longer periods, and causing increased strain on shelter staff. Additionally, many shelters are facing challenges with staffing shortages, limited hours, decreased volunteers, and reduced adoption events. All this adds up to the current crisis of most U.S. shelters being at or over capacity, resulting in pets being more at risk due to lack of space.
That’s why WCRAS is compelled to be a part of the National Adoption Weekend.
For more information, visit wilcopets.org or follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook. com/WilliamsonCounty AnimalShelter) to learn more.
