Thanks to the kindness of the community, some of the Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter’s tenants will have a chance to find their “furr-ever” homes.
Director Shannon Posada recently announced the shelter would host a one-day adoption event Friday, Sept. 29, at the facility. The event will spill over into Saturday with Petsense of Elizabethton serving as the host site for day two of the event, also during regular business hours.
During both days, animals will have the opportunity to be adopted out free of charge due to sponsorships, according to Posada.
The events have proven to be a valuable tool in helping decrease the shelter’s population of cats and dogs. Providing the sponsored adoptions allow future pet owners an opportunity to use funds that would usually go toward an adoption to be used for other avenues to help better ensure the animal has a fruitful and healthy stay away from the shelter, according to Posada.
Sponsorships are acquired from willing citizens looking to contribute monetary donations to the shelter.
While the shelter is unable to solicit funds, due to it being a government facility, other organizations are looking to do their part to help the animal population.
The Friends of the Shelter Group are scheduled to meet this evening at 6 p.m. at City Hall to address the future of volunteer, rescue and foster programs at the facility.
Friends Chairman Mike Barnett recently told the Elizabethton Star that the goal of the meeting is to see the engagement from the community and start a betting process of suitable individuals to help in the different facets for the animals. Items expected to be discussed at the meeting include the installation of a volunteer coordinator and game planning for future adoption events to help raise funds for future projects.
Dallis Knight is one of the community members that has felt the urge to give back to the community.
Knight recently announced a fall festival would be held Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Parks & Rec Center, located on West Mill Street in Elizabethton, from noon to 2 p.m. to help gather funds to benefit animal care.
October’s festival is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Shelter and the Glenda Taylor DeLawder estate. Knight, DeLawder’s sister, recently said she was excited to get involved with the festival.
According to Knight, the festival will feature a variety of events, ranging from a dessert dash to yard sales. A local celebrity lock-up will also be available during the day. Notable names from the community will be locked up with the only way to coming in the form receiving “bail” money for donations.
Vendor opportunities are also available, Knight added. Individuals wanting to participate as a supplier, an “inmate,” or have items to donate for the auction/yard sale can contact Knight at (301) 991-0620.