Shawnee High School’s Animal Welfare Club will be hosting a morning of animal adoptions at an adoption fair on Saturday, April 28 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Dogs, cats and rabbits will be available for adoption, according to club adviser Nicole Strain.
“People looking for that perfect pet to give a loving and caring home to will be given the opportunity to meet some of the animals up for adoption, as well as the people who run the organizations responsible for their current care,” Strain said. “If interested in adopting from any of the organizations, they will be able to fill out an application that day.”
Nine area organizations will be present at the fair, said student Cara DuBois, who initiated the club this year for her Girl Scout Gold Award.
Attending are Joe Joe’s Place, the Animal Welfare Association, Lilo’s Promise Animal Rescue, Camp Bow Wow, Furrever Friends, Burlington County Animal Response Team, Burlington County Animal Shelter, Kirby’s Mill, and Greyhound Angels Adoption.
“We have been reaching out to local shelters, rescues and organizations that deal with animals so that they can have tables at the fair offering information and bringing animals available for adoption,” Strain said.
A similar fair was held a few years ago, but interest in the club waned until this school year, said Shawnee High School events coordinator Susan Murphy.
“This is a club that’s run by kids,” she said. “If we don’t have kids that are interested in it, then we don’t run it.”
This year’s club also hopes to raise awareness of the number of animals placed in shelters each day, said Strain.
“The importance of this event is to promote animal adoption by providing information and adoption opportunities as well as to raise awareness of the number of animals placed in shelters each day,” she said. “We are hoping to increase interest in adopting rather than purchasing dogs from a breeder.”
Joe Joe’s Place in Medford will be bringing five to 10 dogs to the fair, said rescue coordinator Taryn Lloyd-Drayton.
The school organization was established in memory of Joey Lloyd, who died of an unknown cardiac arrhythmia when he was 18,in 2008.
After he died, his father decided to adopt a puppy and ended up adopting three, which led the family to learn about rescuing efforts.
“We had a purebred German shepherd,” she said. “We didn’t know any different.”
About a year later, the organization was formed.
“We get a lot of dogs,” she said.
Last year, about 150 dogs, cats and one potbelly pig went through their doors.
The potbelly pig, she said, was found near the Medford post office and had been hit by a car. The organization took her to the veterinarian, she underwent orthopedic surgery, and she ultimately got adopted by a family in Shamong.
“She’s doing great,” she said.
Many animals have been rescued this year as well, she said.
The family retrieves animals through Pilots ‘N Paws transport service from high kill shelters in Virginia and Kentucky.
Recently, 17 puppies were rescued through Joe Joe’s Place.
Lloyd-Drayton said a 1-year-old Siberian husky may be coming.
There is no cost to attend the fair and view the pups, Strain said.
The outdoor event will be held in the cafeteria parking lot, said Strain, and in case of rain, the fair will be moved to Sunday, April 29 at the same time.
Patrons will be able to park in the main lot or gym lot.
Breakfast foods will be available for purchase, and other Shawnee clubs may be selling items as well, she said.
“We only ask for a donation at the door that we can offer to a local shelter, such as a toy, food, blankets, towels, etc.,” Strain said.
Contact Strain at nstrain@lrhsd.org for more information.
