Locals looking for a purring pal or barking buddy should take advantage of a special promotion offered now through Oct. 31 by the Santa Clara County Animal Shelter, located at 12370 in San Martin.
Whereas normal adoption fees for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens range from $90 to $120, prices have been slashed to rock bottom in conjunction with “Overstock” – a drive currently emphasized between six shelters in San Jose, Palo Alto, Morgan Hill, Silicon Valley and Santa Clara that comprise the “WeCare Coalition.”
Through Halloween, the adoption fee for puppies, dogs, cats and kittens is a flat $10 (see the box in this story for a list of everything that comes included with the adoption fee).Â
Shelters tend to be at, or over capacity in September and October “because we get a lot more animals in over the summer,” explained San Martin Shelter Supervisor Brigid Wasson.Â
She says the drive kicked off with a “bang” last weekend, with 15 dogs and 10 cats finding new homes.Â
“So we’re off to a good start, but there are plenty more,” she reminds.Â
Not so keen on dogs or cats? The county shelter usually has a rotating population of unique alternative choices that can range from goats to rabbits to horses. There are currently two pot bellied pigs in need of a good home, Wasson reminds.Â
“We’re still working on that,” she said. “They’re very intelligent. They’re just like dogs.”
If you want to peruse (online) the furry faces begging you to take them home, visit www.sccgov.org, then click on the “adopt a pet” link. A number of adoptable pets have profiles and pictures, as do other creatures of various species that often end up in the shelter.Â
Santa Clara County Animal Shelter
– Visit: 12370 Murphy Avenue, San Martin
– Call: (408) 686-3900
– Donate on the web: www.sccountypets.org
– Volunteer: Orientation is held at 1 p.m. the second Saturday of every month. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and must attend a volunteer orientation. For questions, call Shelter Supervisor Brigid Wasson at (408) 686-3901
Adoption includes:
– Spay/neuter surgery
– Microchip ID implantation and registration
– Age-appropriate vaccinations
– De-fleaing and de-worming
– FIV/FeLV testing for cats
– A large bag of Hill’s Science Diet pet food

