If You Go
What: MAC & cHESe Fest 2016When: Today from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.Where: McKamey Animal Center, 4500 North Access Road, and Humane Educational Society, 212 North Highland Park Ave.Admission: FreeAnimal adoption costs:› McKamey and SPCA — $20 for all cats and kittens; $40 dogs; $80 puppies› HES — $25 for all cats and kittens; $50 dogs and puppies
To prevent pet overcrowding during the July 4 holiday, three animal shelters are uniting today from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. with the goal of finding homes for 200 animals.
The event, called MAC and cHESe Fest, features hundreds of animals from McKamey Animal Center, the Humane Educational Society and the Bradley County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at McKamey's 4500 North Access Road and the HES 212 North Highland Park Ave. locations in Chattanooga.
As an incentive to adopt, both locations will offer discounted rates on all animals, as well as activities involving music, food and games, according to Taylor Hixson, humane society development manager.
"Other than trying to get as many animals adopted as we can, we'd really just like for people to come out and see our shelter and see how they can get involved in helping homeless pets in our community," she said.
McKamey's location will have live bands from noon until 8 p.m., a Canine Water Park, Ice Cream Social and Mac and Cheese Cook-off. Visitors also will have the opportunity to purchase $35 Smoked Boston Butts and $15 microchips for their pets from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., according to Jamie McAloon, McKamey's executive director.
"It's a family activity event where you can bring the pet, enjoy the kids and maybe find a new family friend," McAloon said. "We want [people] to know that this is a positive experience; they can come in here, feel good and [see that] it's a good place to get an animal."
The HES location will also feature a Cat vs. Dog Water Balloon Fight, cookout, kids' crafts and Happy Meower, during which adults may purchase a margarita and adopt a cat for $10, Hixson said.
Combined, the three shelters provide care for more than 900 animals every day, and roughly 10,000 animals from the Chattanooga area are taken in by animal shelters and rescue groups every year, according to a news release.
Because of this, it is imperative that homes are found for as many animals as possible during the event today, McAloon said.
"We want to put a spotlight on the plight of homeless animals and pet overpopulation," she said. "Animals do not thrive in an animal shelter, they usually deteriorate, so our No. 1 priority is to get them out."
Those interested in adopting, however, should consider a number of factors before purchasing an animal.
"People should definitely think about how much time [and] what level of responsibility they have to give, like how often they might be able to walk a dog or if a cat might be better if they're not home as often," Hixson said.
The cost of all animals up for adoption at both locations will include spay or neuter surgery, vaccination and a nationally recognized micro-chip.
"If you're a true animal lover and you know the cost of vet care, you're gonna know that's a heck of a deal," McAloon said. "[Local] animal shelters need to be the first choice when people are looking for an animal [because] we have the largest selection, the best prices and value."
Contact staff writer Kimberly Sebring at 423-757-6322 or at ksebring@timesfreepress.com.