Community

Record number of adoptions at Kent Animal Shelter in 2016

Shona

More animals housed at Kent Animal Shelter found homes last year than ever before.

More than 1,000 animals were adopted in 2016, an 18 percent increase over the previous year and a new adoption record for the Calverton shelter.

“The adoption numbers keep increasing every year because the shelter is partnering with more animal rescues to save pets in crisis situations,” executive director Pamela Green said in a statement. “We work hard every day to get the word out to our growing network of pet loving friends and followers, highlighting the plight of these animals.”

Kent partnered with numerous organizations last year from across the state and internationally, including in Texas, Kentucky, Puerto Rico and Turks and Caicos as well as the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons.

Additionally, each of the 1,064 pets that were adopted were spayed and neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and vetted, according to the shelter. Kent’s adoption coordinators “carefully screened” each application to make sure the animals went to “loving and safe” homes, a release said.

The shelter’s wellness clinic also performed more than 3,700 spay and neuter surgeries in 2016, which prevented many more cases of animal homelessness, abandonment, neglect and abuse, the shelter said, since animals can have one to two litters a year.

The shelter also received a $15,000 grant from Pet Peeves to provide medical assistance to rescued dogs and cats that are up for adoption.

“Over the years, I have seen the shelter consistently grow in its ability to reach out to greater numbers of animals in crisis situations,” said Dr. Charles Timpone, the shelter’s board president. “Although the mission is the same, the dynamics of the organization have evolved significantly to achieve the ultimate goal of saving as many lives as possible.”

The shelter’s Calverton facility was built in 1968 and its spay and neuter building was built in 1974.

Photo Caption: Shona, a dog available for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter, was spared from the Asian dog meat trade and rescued by The SOI Dog Foundation. (Credit: courtesy)

[email protected]