Animal Shelter Sees High Summer Adoption Rates

The Escambia County Animal Shelter's adoption, transfer and foster rates are soaring this summer, and Animal Services Manager John Robinson says that's largely due to the growing number of unique partnerships they've built within the community. 

During June, July, and August the shelter saw 460 adoptions, nearly doubling the 265 adoptions they had during the same time frame in 2017. The euthanasia rate has also decreased significantly. From a high of 61 percent in 2015 from January to August, the same period in 2018 was documented at 39 percent. 

The shelter also transferred 366 animals to other shelters in June, July, and August, up from the 257 animals transferred in the same time period last year. The nonprofit organization Friends of Escambia County Animal Shelter coordinates animal transfers to other shelters and rescues around the country where the animals can be adopted due to lower animal population numbers in those areas. 

"I think for us, community outreach work is really important," Robinson said. "We've been trying to get our adoption messages out to the community through various events and specials, by partnering with different rescue organizations, and through Friends of Escambia County Animal Shelter and their Facebook page."

Some of the specials and events the shelter has offered this year include Cinco De Meow, Dogs Playing for Life volunteer seminars, and the nationally recognized Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, during the month of June. Most of the events offered discounted adoption rates and were geared toward boosting adoption numbers, but some events simply encouraged the community to engage with shelter animals through volunteer opportunities.

Another big factor Robinson cites in the upward trending numbers is the dedicated staff and the time they spend with potential adopters. 

"Our staff is great, and they really focus on helping people complete their families and matching them with the right pet," he said. "I think people are talking about that because the staff do such a good job of it. I believe the positive adoption stories that come out of the shelter help increase adoptions more than anything — that’s made a huge difference for us."

The shelter also welcomed staff veterinarian Dr. Johnna Lee in September 2017, and Robinson said she greatly increases the number of adoptable pets available to the public on a daily basis. All adoptable pets are spayed or neutered at the time of adoption, which helps to combat our area’s dog and cat overpopulation issues

"Dr. Lee has just been a godsend for us,' he said. "She helps with the adoption process by getting the animals ready for their new homes quickly and efficiently — animals are able to receive treatments and surgeries much faster than they were before."

Robinson is hopeful the numbers will continue to climb as more partnerships are formed within the community and happy adopters continue to share their stories and experiences on social media. 

"We’re just going to keep working with as many programs as possible to get animals into happy homes," he said. Robinson continued, “While our euthanasia rates are significantly better than in the past, we will be looking to our partners, our residents and new strategies to continue that downward trend in the future.”

For more information about the Escambia County Animal Shelter, including how to adopt a pet, click here. For updates on adoptable pets, like Escambia County or Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter on Facebook.