NOBLESVILLE, Ind. --- Animal shelters are urging you to open your hearts, not carts, this holiday season.
The Humane Society for Hamilton County is filled to the brim after taking in 20 dogs on Nov. 14, victims of neglect, according to shelter officials.
“They were not taken care of the way an animal needs to be taken care of,” said Maggie Owens, manager of Community Outreach for the Humane Society for Hamilton County.
An animal rescue took in many of the neglected animals, which were voluntarily surrendered by a local kennel, but several dogs still need forever homes.
The neglected dogs up for adoption include a senior beagle and a German Shepherd with an auto-immune disorder, as well as a blind German Shepherd.
“We have an overwhelming number of animals in our care right now,” said Owens. “Our kennels are full. We have cats in the lobby.”
The Humane Society is offering discounted adoptions for Black Friday from noon to 6 pm: $5 for cats and kittens and $10 for dogs.
The hope is to help empty the cages and stop the trend of people surrendering pets for the holidays.
“This time of year, we get a lot of animals surrendered because their owners are going on vacation, or they have no place to board their animals,” said Owens. “It’s just situations like that that are heartbreaking, but we know there are people out there that will open their hearts and homes to love them.”
Dana Byrd, a cat owner, plans to adopt instead of shop on Black Friday.
“Pet stores are too expensive and puppy mills, it's just not good," said Byrd. “We have another cat at the house, so we need a play mate for him and for us.”
The Humane Society for Hamilton County has a screening process in place to avoid returns.
“It happens, where people think they want an animal, take it home, and bring it right back,” said Owens.
They require people to fill out an application and questionnaire, and every family member and pet in the home must meet the dog or cat before it can be adopted.
“We have the final decision on whether or not this animal is a good fit for what you’re looking for,” said Owens.
Owens said they are expecting lines of people waiting to get in tomorrow for Black Friday.
You can look at animals available for adoption, here and here.
