Rescue group to participate in national adoption event

Folks looking to adopt a dog and save a few bucks in the process are invited to visit K9 Stray Rescue League on Saturday, Dec. 1 as the Oxford-based nonprofit group takes part in a national event.

K9 Stray Rescue League is one of 81 organizations spread across 14 states that was invited to participate in the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s (BPF) Empty the Shelters event.

“It’s the first time we’re participating in the event,” said Holly Lako, a Davisburg resident who serves as secretary on the rescue group’s board of directors. “We have a lot of deserving dogs that need to find homes and some of them have been with us a while and some of them are new to the shelter.”

During Empty the Shelters, the rescue group’s standard adoption fees will be suspended and the public will be able to adopt dogs for the reduced cost of $20 each.

“We have a lot of new people on the board and we’re trying new and different things to increase adoption numbers and find good homes,” Lako said. “We just wanted to think outside of the box.”

The $20 fee must be paid in cash and is nonrefundable.

“If they have to bring the dog back for any reason, they don’t get their $20 back,” said Lako, who’s been volunteering with the group for about three-and-a-half years.

At K9 Stray Rescue League, it normally costs $220 to adopt young and adult dogs and $125 for senior dogs.

As part of Empty the Shelters, BPF will help cover K9 Stray Rescue League’s costs by paying “a good portion” of the standard adoption fees in addition to the $20 per dog received that day, according to Lako.

Puppies, which cost $280 each to adopt, are not part of the Empty the Shelters initiative.

All of the available dogs will be microchipped, spayed or neutered and up-to-date on their age-appropriate vaccinations.

People hoping to view available dogs and potentially adopt one Dec. 1, must fill out an application and have it approved.

Applications are available at K9 Stray’s website.

“Our processes have not been changed (for this event),” Lako said. “We still fully vet everybody to make sure the dog’s going to the right home for them. Just because the dog is (available at a reduced cost) doesn’t mean that we’re just giving dogs away to anybody that wants one.”

There is a limit of one dog per family and   people will not be allowed to place a hold on a dog prior to Empty the Shelters.

“If they want to save time,” said Lako, “people are welcome to come to the shelter before Saturday (to) meet dogs or look at dogs or bring their dog to meet a dog that they’re interested in.”

Folks who email their applications to k9strayrescue@yahoo.com by Friday, Nov. 30 and get pre-approved will have the opportunity to view dogs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All others will be welcome to view them from 1 to 4 p.m., but they must have an approved application to do so that day.

“We’ve had a lot of people asking a lot of questions about (the event),” Lako said.

The goal of Empty the Shelters is to reduce overcrowding in shelters across the nation. During BPF’s last Empty the Shelters event, held Oct. 6, a total of 3,290 pets found forever homes.

Founded in 2011, BPF’s mission is to help reduce the number of animals in shelters through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping and foster care.

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