Adopting pets and creating connections at Clear the Shelters
Walking into Clear the Shelters at Irving Animal Services on Saturday morning, you’d be met with a lot of commotion– staff cleaning and walking pets, dogs excitedly barking, and neighbors strolling the hallways.
But there were a lot of quiet connections happening, too.
“The minute I put my finger up to the glass, she started tapping on it, playing,” said Bruce Gundermann. “I instantly loved her.”
It didn’t take Gundermann long to find Coco, his new kitten.
For lovebirds Josiah Carter and his girlfriend, they found a connection to two kittens.
“I told her she could get whatever she wants, so we’re walking away with two cats,” he said. “Originally, I wanted a dog, but like I said, happy—happy wife, happy life.”
Irving Animal Services had about 60 dogs and 50 cats ready for adoption, as well as roosters and guinea pigs.
“We got 41 adoptions last year on Clear the Shelters day, and we’re hoping to match that, if not get, of course, some more,” said Egan Dobson with Irving Animal Services.
Clear the Shelters was inspired back in 2014 by an event held by NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 with Irving Animal Services.
For nearly a decade, the event has been sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a pet food company that also has a mission to help end pet homelessness.
Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program provides food to shelters, helping more than 1,000 shelters to date.
“Did you know that there are over 5 million pets in shelters across the U.S.?” said spokesperson Carrick Massey.
He said many times, people can be hesitant to adopt because of emotional barriers.
“Whether it is, ‘Am I going to have enough time? What about the societal expectations of having a pet? Will I know how to care for them in different times?’ But what we try and encourage people is: We’re only human, and it’s all about loving your pet, because your pet will always love you. So, as long as you’re there to show love and companionship, that’s the main thing,” Massey said.
That’s exactly what 16-year-old Sierra Randall is hoping to provide her new cat.
“The companionship is really important to me, just having somebody that I can always be there to cuddle with,” she said.
Her 13-year-old cousin, Harper Antis, adopted a dog on Saturday.
“The reason I’m adopting this dog is because I feel every dog should have a forever home, and I can be that forever home for that dog,” she said.
Gundermann isn’t a stranger to adopting– his last two cats were adopted. He had them over the course of 25 years, the second one passing away just a few months ago.
“And I was just waiting for the right time to get another kitten,” he said.
He had been researching shelters, writing down locations he planned to visit to find the right kitten– until Saturday morning.
Gundermann said he was watching NBC when he saw an advertisement for Clear the Shelters. He said he finished his breakfast and came right out.
Now, his connection complete and his list of shelters no longer needed.
“I come home and they greet you at the door, even a little kitty, sit on your lap. When you’re single and retired, it’s just so sweet to have,” he said.
The Clear the Shelters campaign runs through August 31. You can find more information here.
Walking into Clear the Shelters at Irving Animal Services on Saturday morning, you’d be met with a lot of commotion– staff cleaning and walking pets, dogs excitedly barking, and neighbors strolling the hallways.
But there were a lot of quiet connections happening, too.
“The minute I put my finger up to the glass, she started tapping on it, playing,” said Bruce Gundermann. “I instantly loved her.”
It didn’t take Gundermann long to find Coco, his new kitten.
For lovebirds Josiah Carter and his girlfriend, they found a connection to two kittens.
“I told her she could get whatever she wants, so we’re walking away with two cats,” he said. “Originally, I wanted a dog, but like I said, happy—happy wife, happy life.”
Irving Animal Services had about 60 dogs and 50 cats ready for adoption, as well as roosters and guinea pigs.
“We got 41 adoptions last year on Clear the Shelters day, and we’re hoping to match that, if not get, of course, some more,” said Egan Dobson with Irving Animal Services.
Clear the Shelters was inspired back in 2014 by an event held by NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 with Irving Animal Services.
For nearly a decade, the event has been sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a pet food company that also has a mission to help end pet homelessness.
Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program provides food to shelters, helping more than 1,000 shelters to date.
“Did you know that there are over 5 million pets in shelters across the U.S.?” said spokesperson Carrick Massey.
He said many times, people can be hesitant to adopt because of emotional barriers.
“Whether it is, ‘Am I going to have enough time? What about the societal expectations of having a pet? Will I know how to care for them in different times?’ But what we try and encourage people is: We’re only human, and it’s all about loving your pet, because your pet will always love you. So, as long as you’re there to show love and companionship, that’s the main thing,” Massey said.
That’s exactly what 16-year-old Sierra Randall is hoping to provide her new cat.
“The companionship is really important to me, just having somebody that I can always be there to cuddle with,” she said.
Her 13-year-old cousin, Harper Antis, adopted a dog on Saturday.
“The reason I’m adopting this dog is because I feel every dog should have a forever home, and I can be that forever home for that dog,” she said.
Gundermann isn’t a stranger to adopting– his last two cats were adopted. He had them over the course of 25 years, the second one passing away just a few months ago.
“And I was just waiting for the right time to get another kitten,” he said.
He had been researching shelters, writing down locations he planned to visit to find the right kitten– until Saturday morning.
Gundermann said he was watching NBC when he saw an advertisement for Clear the Shelters. He said he finished his breakfast and came right out.
Now, his connection complete and his list of shelters no longer needed.
“I come home and they greet you at the door, even a little kitty, sit on your lap. When you’re single and retired, it’s just so sweet to have,” he said.
The Clear the Shelters campaign runs through August 31. You can find more information here.