This Stanislaus County shelter is having free adoptions in memory of Modesto native, dog lover
November is a busy time for bringing animals to the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency shelter on Cornucopia Way, its director said.
The shelter is waiving the fees for dog adoptions Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17-18, during an “empty the shelter” effort. The free adoptions are in memory of Kyle MacDonald, a devoted dog lover.
The agency hopes to find good homes for dogs awaiting adoption at the shelter, said Vaughn Maurice, executive director of Stanislaus Animal Services. The holiday season is an opportune time for making a connection between families and pets, he said.
There are more than 230 dogs at the shelter, so people should be able to find one they want to take home. Maurice said the shelter is designed to more comfortably handle 183 dogs, so there’s a pressing need to make adoptions as easy as possible.
The free adoptions are inspired by MacDonald’s love for his dogs, Saber and Kaeger. MacDonald, who grew up in Modesto, died in 2015. His mother is a longtime supporter of the animal shelter.
The adoptions are on a first-come, first-served basis. The dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped and current on vaccinations.
Hours for the event are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. The shelter is at 3647 Cornucopia Way, off Crows Landing Road.
Maurice said a number of factors have consistently filled the shelter in recent years, such as people abandoning pets as they return to work after the COVID pandemic and the stresses of inflation on household budgets.
Maurice said holiday plans and travel also may lead people to give up a pet this time of year.
More information about the animals available for adoption can be found at www.StanislausAnimalServices.com.
