Santa Rosa County Animal Services (SRCAS) is proudly joining forces with Petco Love, a national non-profit working to lead and inspire change for animals, BOBS from Skechers™, and animal welfare groups across the state of Florida on a shared mission to find homes for 5,000 dogs and cats in shelters. The Petco Love Florida Mega Adoption Event will take place June 23 - 25 in Petco Pet Care Centers and local animal shelters.

All adoption fees will be waived for pets at the Santa Rosa County Animal Shelter at 4451 Pine Forest Road in Milton. The shelter is open on Fri., June 23, 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sat., June 24, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/animals to view current adoptable animals.

According to the most recent nationwide data, Florida ranks 46th in the nation when it comes to saving the lives of pets in shelters. In 2021, nearly 22,616 dogs and cats were killed in animal shelters across Florida. With help from Petco Love, local animal shelters are aiming to close that gap by finding homes for 5,000 pets in three days.

This event is the first of its kind for Florida, with participation from 50 organizations across 31 counties. Thousands of pets will be available for adoption. All pets will be spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccinations. All adoption fees will be waived, some exclusions may apply.

"We're excited to participate in this statewide, mega-adoption event with Petco and BOBS from Skechers™," said Randy Lambert, SRCAS Chief. "We have been over capacity for most of the spring into the summer, and these animals deserve to find their forever homes."

The event is funded by a lifesaving investment from Petco Love, in partnership with BOBS from Skechers™, for the Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) and is facilitated by JHS’s Florida Leaders in Lifesaving program.

“We know that Floridians love animals and there is no better way to add a family member than by adopting from your local shelter. Summers are notoriously challenging for shelters nationwide and this is an opportunity to change the lives of so many dogs and cats -- not just those adopted but also the ones who will come to shelters in the months afterward,” said Denise Deisler, JHS CEO. “Petco Love has been instrumental in Florida’s increased lifesaving for many years, and we are so appreciative for their continued dedication to animals and animal welfare organizations in the Sunshine State. We cannot wait for Floridians to come together and support our shelters!”

“Petco Love is committed to creating a world where every shelter pet finds a loving family, and no pet is unnecessarily euthanized,” said Petco Love president, Susanne Kogut. “We are proud to partner with Jacksonville Humane Society and 50 organizations across the state to make an impact on so many pets and pet parents’ lives through adoption.”

“It’s our intent to help and save as many shelter animals as possible – it’s why we created the BOBS from Skechers philanthropic collection,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “Compassionate animal lovers can look good by wearing BOBS from Skechers shoes, apparel and accessories, and feel good as their purchase is resulting in a donation from Skechers—to the tune of more than $9.7 million to date. This has helped or saved more than 1.8 million dogs and cats.”

In addition to helping pets find homes through The Petco Love Florida Mega Adoption Event, Skechers is also holding register round-ups at Skechers retail stores in the United States this month for animals in need. All funds raised in Florida will go directly to Petco Love’s partner animal welfare organizations within the state.

To learn more about the event, including days, times, and locations in your area, visit megaadoptflorida.com. Information is also available on social media by following @MegaAdoptFlorida on Facebook and Instagram or using #MegaAdoptFL.

About Petco Love:

Petco Love is a life-changing nonprofit organization that makes communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. Since our founding in 1999 as the Petco Foundation, we’ve empowered animal welfare organizations by investing $350 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. We’ve helped find loving homes for more than 6.7 million pets in partnership with Petco and organizations nationwide.

Our love for pets drives us to lead with innovation, creating tools animal lovers need to reunite lost pets, and lead with passion, inspiring and mobilizing communities and our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners to drive lifesaving change alongside us. Join us. Visit petcolove.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to be part of the lifesaving work we lead every day.

About Santa Rosa County Animal Services:

Santa Rosa County Animal Services' mission is to build a society in which every animal is treated with compassion; we provide humane shelter and care for the approximately 3,500 lost, displaced and victimized animals who enter our doors every year. Our services protect animals and educate the community through outreach, intervention, and enforcement.

We are dedicated to providing a positive outcome for all of the animals in our care. Since 2019, we have changed our approach to animal sheltering to better serve our community and pets. Through this transformation, our shelter has earned no-kill shelter status and are continuing to promote positive change. Visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/animals or follow on Facebook and Instagram, to learn more.

About Florida Leaders in Lifesaving:

Florida Leaders in Lifesaving is a program of the Jacksonville Humane Society, located in Jacksonville, FL, that unites Florida’s shelters and clinics in a statewide mission to save the lives of dogs and cats in shelters, inspire collaborative action, and engage the hearts, hands and minds of our communities so Florida can serve as a national leader in lifesaving. Learn more at floridaleadersinlifesaving.org.