Clear the Shelters Event Helps Animals Find Homes

OVER 600,000 DOGS AND CATS ARE BROUGHT INTO FLORIDA ANIMAL SHELTERS EVERY YEAR. THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA'S SHELTER MEDICINE PROGRAM. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SHELTERS ARE TAKING PART IN THE NATIONWIDE INITIATIVE CALLED CLEAR THE SHELTERS HAS WGCUS KERRY BARBER SHOWS US THIS HELPS ENCOURAGE MORE ADOPTIONS AND FIND PLENTY OF ANIMALS, THEIR FOREVER HOMES. >> LAST WEEKEND, COLLIER COUNTY, DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES PARTICIPATED IN CLEAR THE SHELTERS. THEY HELD A MARKET STYLE EVENT WITH FOOD VENDORS, DOG AND CAT ACCESSORIES FOR SALE AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES LIKE FACE PAINTING. WITH WAIVED ADOPTION FEES FOR THE WEEKEND. THEY MANAGED TO FIND HOMES FOR 23 DOGS AND 39 CATS LIVES. HARMAN OF NAPLES TOOK HIGH A HOME FOR A WEEK BEFORE COMMITTING TO ADOPTION. >> WE CAME IN LAST WEEK AND WE FELL IN LOVE WITH HER, BUT BECAUSE WE HAVE A CAT AT HOME, WE WE CHOSE TO FOSTER FOR A WEEK TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE WOULD GET ALONG WITH THE CAT. HARMON SAYS KAI AND THE CAT ARE WORKING IT OUT. >> AND KYRA, GOT ALONG WITH THEIR OTHER DOG SOLIS MADE IT OFFICIAL. STEVE CAME IN AND FOUND DIANA, THE KITTEN OF HIS DREAMS. >> TO 2. >> I DO HAVE A CAT. AND SO IT GIVES, YOU KNOW, A FRIEND. YEAH, I COULD DO THAT. AND LIKE THROUGH THE LOVE OF HER, SAY SHE DOESN'T DO WHAT I DID HAVE A RUSHING I WOULD VERY MUCH. SHE'S BEEN WITH FOR SURE IN >> USUALLY WHICH IS THE >> FARTHER NORTH, THE GULF COAST, HUMANE SOCIETY IN FORT MYERS IS OFFERING FREE ADOPTIONS AS PART OF THEIR CLEAR THE SHELTERS INITIATIVE THIS WEEKEND ADOPTERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE A FREE MONTH OF PET FOOD. BOTH SHELTERS FEATURE AVAILABLE ANIMALS ON THEIR WEBSITES. BUT WILL LET PROGRAMS MANAGER AT COLLIER. DOMESTIC ANIMAL SERVICES SAYS MEETING FACE TO FACE IS IDEAL. BUT THE BEST WAY TO REALLY FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE A CONNECTION IN A MATCH. >> WHICH IS TO COME ON DOWN TO THE SHELTER. >> THE CLEAR THE SHELTERS EVENT HAPPENS IN AUGUST, BUT YOU CAN HELP CLEAR THE SHELTERS ALL YEAR ROUND WHENEVER YOU'RE READY FOR A NEW BEST FRIEND FOR WDSU NEWS, I'M KERRY