PetSmart and animal shelters hold Mega Adopt-a-thon

PetSmart and four area animal shelters are joining forces to help dogs and cats find loving homes.

The Chattanooga Humane Educational Society, McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center, East Ridge Animal Shelter, and Catoosa Citizens for Animal Care are holding a collective Mega Adopt-a-thon this weekend at the PetSmart parking lot on Gunbarrel Road in East Brainerd.

More than 100 dogs and cats will be available for a $50 adoption fee, which includes spay or neuter, vaccinations and a microchip, said event spokeswoman Laura Westbrook.

"We hope to get 100 dogs adopted from our overcrowded shelters," she said of the event. "We have more dogs than cats in our shelter, but we will have quite a few cats."

Westbrook said shelter populations are typically highest in the summer.

According to Jeanine Cloyd with the Chattanooga Humane Educational Society, the number of cats and dogs in the local shelters is high. There are 300 dogs and 200 cats at the Humane Education Society; 400 cats and dogs at McKamey; 19 dogs and four kittens at the East Ridge Animal Shelter, and 25 animals at the Catoosa Citizens for Animal Care.

"Litters of six to 10 kittens and puppies have been coming through our doors since spring," Cloyd said. "Economic hard times also are playing a role with family pets being surrendered."

Spay and neuter is the first step to solving the overpopulation problem, she said.

There will be prizes, games and food, she said.

Hours are noon to 8 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.

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