The Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center is taking an innovative approach to pet adoption with its seasonal spin on finding homes for its animals. Through its 12 Strays of Christmas in July campaign, the center is pushing to quickly and freely place pets into loving arms. To curve the issue of overcrowding, Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement has decided to waive all pet adoption fees through July 20. Alongside this no-cost adoption initiative, they are including a holiday pet care package for each lucky adopted animal, while the offerings last.
Adoptions are traditionally meant to be a gift of companionship, but these come with an extra present: the essentials. Adoptive pet parents will receive vaccinations, microchips, and the surgery for spaying or neutering their new furry family member. "Our largest animals, the big dogs, are always the hardest to find placement for," explained Animal Welfare and Enforcement Division Director Katrina Amaro in a statement. "With the care packages and waived adoption fees, we want to generate some holiday magic to help these pets find loving homes or temporary foster placements until they find their forever families," Amaro told GwinnettCounty.com.
For those not ready to fully commit, fostering provides a critical lifeline for these animals. Gwinnett County doesn't expect foster families to bear the full burden of care, thus they are offering to provide the necessary food, preventive vet care, and supplies such as leashes, all free of cost. This initiative offers a solution to both reduce the immediate population of the shelter and to potentially lead more animals to ultimately finding their forever homes.
Residents interested in adoption or fostering can get more information by visiting the dedicated website at GwinnettAnimalWelfare.com. Further updates and stories of successful adoptions can be found by following @GwinnettAnimalShelter on Facebook. The Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center, the epicenter of this holiday campaign, warmly welcomes visitors at 884 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville.
