Free Pet Adoptions This Weekend

—Written by Rob Klindt

Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority and Palo Alto Animal Services are  hoping to empty their shelters this weekend by having all their animal guests adopted into qualified homes.

To do that, the shelters are participating in the fourth annual Maddie’s Pet Adoption Days event which has set aside $4 million to provide participating shelters and rescue centers with an adoption stipend per pet adopted during the weekend. Stipends range from $500 to $2,000.

More than 200 shelters in eight communities throughout the nation are participating in this year’s event.

Doors open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1 at Palo Alto Animal Services, 3281 E. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto. The free adoption program will continue during office hours until 4 p.m. Sunday, June 2. The center will be closed on Monday, June 3.

The Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority Animal Care Center, 3370 Thomas Rd. in Santa Clara, will be open to the public 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, June 1 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, June 2. 

Workers at Palo Alto Animal Services will follow the shelter’s regular adoption process during the event. In addition, for people who already have a dog in their home, PAAS requires that a dog-to-dog introduction take place before a new animal can be adopted. Appointments can be made by calling 650-496-5971 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 30-31.

Maddie’s Pet Adoption Days is being held to increase awareness of shelter animals, boost adoptions, and support the shelters and rescue organizations in their eight participating communities.

Maddie’s Fund, based in Alameda, is a family foundation endowed by the founder of Workday and PeopleSoft, Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl.

The organization’s goal is to help achieve and sustain a no-kill nation by providing solutions to the most challenging issues facing the animal welfare community through Maddie’s Grant Giving and Maddie’s Institute.

Maddie’s Fund is named after the family’s beloved Miniature Schnauzer who died in 1997.

Details: 408-764-0344.