By Meg Peters
Review Staff Writer
Barks of all pitches resonate in the ears of anybody who walks through the doors of the Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center located at 1700 Brown Rd. in Auburn Hills.
Adorable puppies, dogs, cats and kittens all are waiting for a new home.
To make pet adoption easier and more affordable this Father’s Day, families will have the opportunity to adopt cats and dogs at half the price for the Father’s Day Bow Wow event at the shelter.
On Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. everybody interested in owning a new pet is encouraged to stop by the Bow Wow event to meet the plethora of animals. Bounce houses, food trucks, face painting, psychic readings for pets and humans, raffles and a ‘dress your dog like your dad? contest await interested future pet owners.
All dogs older than four months will cost $68.25. They usually sell for $136.50. All puppies under four months will be $57, normally $114, and kittens and cats are available for an adoption fee of $28.75, normally $57.50.
The cost covers vaccinations, including parasite treatment, flea treatment, and worming. Cats receive feline leukemia tests as well as a spay or neuter.
It is the OC Pet Adoption center’s goal to outdo their adoption numbers from June, July and August in 2013’standing at 1,006 animals’by adopting out 2,014 this June, July and August.
The center is competing for as $100,000 grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and Rachael Ray. The grant winner will be the adoption center who exceeds their previous year’s adoption records by the greatest margin.
‘The goal we set is pretty high. We know that, but we want to challenge ourselves with different and innovative ways to get these animals home,? chief supervisor Joanie Toole said.
On average the adoption center takes in seven to ten dogs a day and 30 cats a day, Toole said.
On average, 80 percent of those dogs are adopted out a year, and 50 percent of those cats find homes.
The rest are euthanized.
‘We accept everything that comes to the shelters whether it’s sick, feral or injured. We don’t turn anybody away as long as they are in our service area,? Toole said.
About 75 percent of the animals the shelter takes in are strays. The rest are from families or individuals who can no longer afford their pets, who are moving, or who can no longer take care of their animals because of behavioral issues.
Interested people need to bring their driver’s license and will fill out an application form if they find the pet of their dreams. Adoption center officials are also available to help determine a compatible breed for the person’s current living situation because they want to make sure the adoption works out, Toole said.
Not only will interested pet owners receive a half-off discount, they will get to spin the wheel which has even more perks and benefits. The wheel is available to spin all June, July and August, and the spinner will receive whichever deal is better, whether it’s $60 off or a free pet.
‘We want to make it as fun and affordable as possible for people,? Mindy Diep said, Public Relations and Marketing intern for the adoption center.
The center also has additional deals every day of the week to help promote as many adoptions as possible.
Three other events are scheduled for the summer months, which will also offer the same half-off pet adoption deals as the Father’s Day Bow Wow.
All events take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Rescue me Saturday will be held June 28, Certified Pre-Owned Cat Adoption is July 12, Stray Dog’s Got Talent will be July 26 and the Dog Days of Summer and Cool Cat Nights will be held August 9.
For more information visit’www.oakgov.com/petadoption’or call the center at?248-391-4100.
Animals will stay in the shelter until they find a home, Toole said, or until they develop a behavioral issue from being caged too long leading to euthanization.
‘I encourage those who want to give one of our dogs or cats a loving and safe home to attend this family oriented event,? County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. ‘Not only is it a fun event, it’s a great way to support the pet adoption center.?