As the Animal Shelter gets ready for another adoption event, it is also upping its game with new community partnerships to keep people engaged with its efforts to adopt out as many of its shelter residents into loving homes as possible.

Paulette Walton, with Friends of the Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter, said this will be one of the first times they have worked with local businesses to put on an event like this.

“It means everything,” Walton said. “They appreciate what the shelter does.”

Their latest adoption event, “Ho Dogs and Cool Cats,” will feature Hound Dogs and Sweetsie Treatz providing food during the event.

The adoption event will remove the normal adoption fees associated with the shelter.

“It is about attracting more people, making it more fun,” Walton said.

Walton said this drive to make the various adoption events more entertaining and memorable for people has been the basis of her efforts since she took on this level of responsibility three months ago.

“I did not see anyone else doing it,” she said. “I have seen an abundance of animals there. The shelter needs help, and they need volunteers.”

She said making these events more memorable might also encourage more people to volunteer at the shelter in the future, as it increases the shelter’s transparency.

“My focus is to get these animals adopted,” Walton said. “The more people are aware of the shelter, we will attract more individuals.”

The adoption event itself will run from noon to 4:30 p.m. Friday, August 9, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, August 10. While Hound Dogs will be there both days, Walton said Sweetsie will only be in attendance Friday.

“It is great to have their involvement,” she said.

Those interested in getting more information about the animals at the shelter beforehand or the regular costs can contact the shelter at 423-547-6359.

Walton said they hope the increased rates of adoption and volunteers will benefit the shelter as a whole.

“They need help in all aspects,” she said. “There are a thousand ways to get involved.”