Department hopes special adoption finds homes for pets

In an effort to find stray animals happy and loving homes, Columbia County's Animal Care and Control Department is holding a special adoption event this weekend.

Linda Fulmer, the department's director, said finding permanent homes for animals is her goal.

In hopes of adopting more animals and making the public aware that the center adopts animals all year, the center is holding a special pet adoption from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. The adoptions take place at the center at 6337 Columbia Road in Appling.

Fulmer said she has tried to organize the special adoptions quarterly since the new facility opened in late 2001.

During the event, dogs and puppies can be adopted for a discounted $10. Cats and kittens will be adopted for $5 during the event.

The normal adoption fees are $25 for adult animals and $20 for puppies and kittens.

"We just don't know what we are going to have," Fulmer said of the variety of adoptable animals.

Animals must be held for five days before being put up for adoption to give the owner time to make a claim. They are then put up for adoption based on temperament.

Fulmer said this weekend's adoption also will feature two domesticated rabbits.

"We're hoping to get them adopted, too," Fulmer said. "They are just strays that showed up in somebody's backyard."

State law mandates that all adopted animals must be spayed or neutered. Those adopting an animal are required to take the animal to a veterinarian. Only one pet can be adopted per family, Fulmer said.

Anyone wanting to visit the kennel area to pick up an animal must wear closed-in shoes. No flip-flops, sandals, open-back slides or other open shoes will not be allowed.

Photos of adoptable pets can be seen at www.columbiacountyga.gov. Follow the links to Government, then to Animal Care and Control.

For more information, call the center at (706) 541-4077.