Eight large breed dogs up for adoption were given hugs, kisses, cuddles and extra love at an adoption day hosted by the city of Santa Clarita and Castaic Animal Care Center at the Mitchell River House on Saturday.
Sara Cohen walks with Alvee, her newly adopted Husky, ready to give him a new home where he will be safe and experience lots of love and affection.
Cohen, who strictly only rescues dogs, lost her Husky in December and didn’t expect to come home with a new pet on Saturday.
She’s excited to bring Alvee home and “train him, love him, walk him and just me being there for him and him being there for me,” she said.
Alvee and Cohen even had a chance to take home a new donated toy and free goodies.
Alvee was one of three successful adoptions that day. Castaic Animal Care Center volunteers were thrilled with the outcome, especially for Toby, a 13-year-old senior dog who was also taken to a new home and given a second chance, a difficult thing for seniors. rescue.
The city of Santa Clarita has partnered with the Castaic Animal Shelter to help raise awareness, and provide a way for local residents to meet and greet local animals, said Tracy Sullivan, community preservation manager for the city.
“The city is really trying to bring more awareness to the services that Castaic Animal Care Center offers and also build more accessibility,” Sullivan said.
While not all of the dogs were adopted Saturday, Castaic Animal Care Center is optimistic their time will come, and shelter officials hope future adoption events will become a monthly occurrence.
Kelsey Tarleton, an animal control officer and volunteer liaison for the Castaic shelter, said the shelter can fill up very quickly because of its smaller size, which is why they host pet adoption days .
The goal is to find forever homes for rescued animals so they can continue to bring new dogs and cats through their doors and the animals won’t meet unfortunate fates because of their circumstances.
Castaic Animal Care Center must euthanize animals that come into the facility after a certain time period due to overcrowding.
For a successful adoption rate, the shelter has also waived all adoption fees so that those interested in bringing home a new furry friend will be more compelled to do so at no additional cost.
Tarleton added that he loves animals, and his experience covers “all aspects” of animal control.
She has done kennel, office, and officer field work and now volunteers at Castaic Animal Care Center.
“I was the guy who let them in and now I’m the guy who let them out,” Tarleton said.
For more information about the Castaic Animal Care Center and to view rescued animals for adoption, visit: https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/
