Yesterday, while many shelters around the metro area were closed, the KC Pet Project was open. But beyond being open on a day when most people have the day off (a goal of ours to maximize opportunities to see our adoptables), we promoted ourselves as being open with $25 adoptions all day.
The media was very kind, and covered the event (the linked piece ran like 6 times during various news times).
And the crowd of people formed. The picture to the left is the line of people waiting to get into our shelter when the doors opened at noon. Because of the huge crowds, it took us 2, sometimes 3 hours to get all of the adoptions processed -- and people patiently waited with us on a 100+ degree day, and on a holiday, to wait for their forever canine and feline companion.
By the time the day was done, we had processed 77 total adoptions (a 1-day record for us). There is another stack of 20 or so that are coming back today to finish up their paperwork.
The shelter is now emptied out for the expected influx of canines that will come in after last night's fireworkds, and our staff can begin working to reunite those animals with their owners.
It was a good day. An exhausting day. But I can't think of a better way to spend a holiday than with good people looking to provide good homes to these pets. Thank you to all who came out and braved the heat. And thanks to our amazing staff and volunteers that helped make it all possible.
I don't even have words, Brent. Amazing? Just doesn't seem adequate. Thinking just a little outside the box, working your tushes off - look at what you have accomplished so far! You all are truly leading the way here and showing what can be done when everyone works together, gives the public the benefit of the doubt and keeps the animals best interest the focus. Bravo!
Posted by: Jenn | July 05, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Beautiful news, Brent! I hope that means that, after all the Fourth of July strays are sorted out, you hardworking folks get a bit of a breather. Heaven knows you deserve it!
Posted by: pitbull friend | July 05, 2012 at 01:49 PM
Thanks all. Friend, there are no breathers at open admission shelters. Room to breath yes, but no breathers. You kind of have to treat every day like your full, because if you don't, you will be.
Posted by: Brent | July 05, 2012 at 01:52 PM
Bravo! The shelter where I volunteer lost power after the derecho Friday night. Reaching out to the ("irresponsible") public, we received donations of ice, gasoline to run the backup generators, and towels and blankets cause we were unable to do laundry. Over 600 pounds of ice were donated! Power came back on the 4th, in part I think because of the media attention.
So are you going to be open on Christmas Eve?
Posted by: Dianne R. | July 05, 2012 at 03:36 PM
It's amazing how much the public steps up when you ask.
In most years we will be open on Christmas Eve. However, Christmas Eve is on a Monday this year -- which as of right now is our day to be closed to the public so the current plan isn't to be open that day....but we'll see how it's going by then.
Posted by: Brent | July 05, 2012 at 03:47 PM