Silicon Valley animal shelters are hoping families will consider opening their homes and their hearts this holiday season.
Six area shelters are launching “Shelters First” to raise awareness of the 1,200 Silicon Valley animals that need a home for the holidays. Currently, only 25 percent of pet owners adopt from shelters.
The participating shelters are lowering adoption fees to $12 on all adult animals through the month of December. Baby animals are available at regular prices.
“We need to raise awareness to the point where another five percent of owners adopt from our shelters,” said Albert Escobar, program manager at Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority. “That will put thousands more animals in loving homes — and forever eliminate shelter overcrowding.”
Animals can be adopted immediately at Humane Society Silicon Valley, Santa Clara County Animal Shelter, City of Palo Alto Animal Services, Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority, City of San Jose Animal Care and Services and Town Cats.
Right now, all six animal shelters in Silicon Valley are overwhelmed with animals. The Shelters First partners are working together to create short-term solutions:
- transferring animals between shelters
- moving animals into foster care homes
- healing and training animals to become more adoptable
“Dogs and cats should not be in shelters. They should be living in homes,” said Beth Ward, Chief Operating Officer at Humane Society Silicon Valley. “Our shelters are beautiful, but they’re not homes. Our volunteers and staff are warm and wonderful, but they’re not the same as a permanent, loving family.”
