SerpApi.Org
If you've been thinking about adding a furry friend to the family, the Brandywine Valley SPCA says now is a good time to adopt.
The shelter is participating in PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week through Sunday, waiving adoption fees for dogs weighing more than 40 pounds and cats older than 6 months. Officials say every adoption helps create space for another animal in need.
The push comes as the Brandywine Valley SPCA prepares to take in displaced pets from Texas following last week's severe flooding. Shelter leaders say they need additional kennel space and financial support for rescue flights bringing animals to the region.
The rescue effort also comes during what staff describe as the height of "kitten season."
Brandywine Valley SPCA Director of Marketing and Outreach Erin Johnston said the shelter can see more than 20 kittens arrive in a single day, while also caring for more than 200 dogs.
"We have a really high number of kittens coming in," Johnston said. "Cats are out doing what cats do best, and that's reproducing. We see a lot of cats come in. Members of the public find them. We had some just brought in that were found in a gutter outside of someone's house."
To help create space, the shelter is waiving adoption fees for eligible pets during National Adoption Week. Adoption events are scheduled across the D.C. region, including:
- Wednesday: PetSmart Greenbelt, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Thursday: PetSmart Fairfax kitten adoption event, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Friday: PetSmart Fairfax, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday: PetSmart Tysons Corner, noon to 4 p.m.
The shelter says people who are not ready to adopt can still help by fostering animals, donating supplies or funds, or participating in its "Shelter Skip Day" program, which allows volunteers to take a shelter dog out for the day to give it a break from the kennel.
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