Bradshaw Animal Shelter is waiving adoption fees for dogs through Saturday, January 13, to encourage adoptions and combat the extreme overcrowding that the shelter is currently facing.
The facility is only designed to house around 150 canines, but on Sunday, January 7th, there were a staggering 251 dogs and puppies on site. Although 62 dogs and puppies have been adopted so far this week, the shelter opened today with 222 canines in its kennels. Of those 222, 67 are currently available for adoption.
“We are committed to helping every adoptable dog find the happy home that they deserve, and we need the community's help to be able to fulfill that promise," said Annette Bedsworth, Director of Bradshaw Animal Shelter.
Individuals interested in adopting a dog are encouraged to visit Bradshaw Animal Shelter during this special fee-waived adoption period. Included in every pet's adoption is their spay/neuter surgery, a microchip, up-to-date vaccinations, and a 1-year license for Sacramento County residents, all at no cost to the adopters.
What is the adoption process?
Adoptions are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Step 1: View the adoptable dogs online to see which one you're interested in meeting, or walk around the shelter in person to see whom you fall in love with.
Step 2: Fill out an adoption questionnaire. (This can be done ahead of time or in person at the shelter.)
Step 3: Meet the dog you are interested in and talk to one of our adoption counselors to make sure it's a good match.
Step 4: Make it official by adopting them.
If the adoption ends up not working out, adopters may bring the animal back within 30 days.
Why aren't all of the pets that are currently at the shelter available for adoption today?
In addition to housing currently adoptable pets, the shelter serves as a safety net for lost pets in the community. Stray pets are held for a minimum of 72 hours to give their owners time to reclaim them.
Beyond that, the shelter houses sick and injured pets that are receiving medical care, puppies and kittens who are too young to be adopted, pets that have been confiscated from their living situations, pets whose behavior is being evaluated to make sure they are safe to place in the community, and vicious animals from the community who are under quarantine.
Most of these pets will eventually either be returned to their owners, placed up for adoption, or transferred to a 501c3 animal rescue partner.
What resources are available for pet owners in need?
To help pet owners keep their pets, Sacramento County Animal Care Services offers a community pet pantry with free pet food as well as a free monthly vaccine and wellness clinic for dogs. The next free dog clinic will take place on Sunday, January 28, at Carmichael Park (5750 Grant Ave. in Carmichael) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additionally, the PAWS Mobile Clinic provides free spay/neuter surgeries, vaccines, and wellness services for the pets of unhoused pet owners.