Santa Rosa County Animal Services (SRCAS) and Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to save the lives of cats and dogs in America’s shelters by 2025, are teaming up for another adoption campaign to encourage people to choose to adopt, not buy, their next pet. 

“We've seen an influx in our homeless animal population over the last year or so, right in line with nationwide trends, we're hoping these reduced adoption fees will encourage more adoptions and find homes for some of our long-time residents,” said Dr. Megan Arevalo, SRCAS Veterinarian.

SRCAS will have reduced adoption fees of only $5, Sept. 16 and 17. SRCAS, located at 4451 Pine Forest Road in Milton, will be open 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 16, and 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 17. View adoptable animals and more information online at www.SantaRosa.fl.gov/Animals.

Recent data released by Best Friends showed that U.S. shelters were seeing an increase in animal intake and a decrease in pet adoptions from shelters. This has steadily turned into a crisis in the animal welfare community, where many shelters are over capacity.   

Anyone considering adding a new pet to their family can make a difference by choosing to adopt instead of purchasing their pet. 

"There is a growing shelter crisis across the country and the animal welfare community won’t just sit by and let innocent pets die,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. "In fact, it’s quite the opposite. We’re joining forces with our vast network of shelters and rescues across the country to host our third National Adoption Weekend since May to incentivize people to get out and adopt.” 

Due to recent problems such as staffing shortages, limited shelter hours, decreased volunteers, and reduced adoption events, the time is now to help save lives by adopting a pet. 

“We have proof that national promotions like the first two adoption weekends we did in May and July work,” said Castle. “Our July National Adoption Weekend saw close to 10,000 animals adopted in three days.”

That’s why SRCAS is compelled to be a part of the upcoming National Adoption Weekend. “Shelters are stressful for these animals, especially when we're as crowded as we've been,” said Dr. Megan Arevalo. "Even if now isn't the right time to commit to adoption, we're asking folks to try fostering, for whatever amount of time works best for them. This not only gets the animals out of the stressful environment but helps our staff learn more about their personalities for their furever home."

For more information, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/Animals or follow @SRCAnimalServices on Facebook and Instagram to learn more. 

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 continues to promote positive change.

About the Best Friends Network

The Best Friends Network is comprised of thousands of public and private shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter organizations and other animal welfare organizations in all 50 states. We are a coalition committed to saving the lives of homeless cats and dogs through collaboration, information-sharing and implementation of proven lifesaving strategies. Our partners support each other and inspire their own communities to increase lifesaving of dogs and cats across the country.