Over 125 dogs and cats are hoping that the luck of the Irish will be with them at this month's Metro Richmond Pet Savers adopt-a-thon event and they'll finally find their forever homes! Each month, a coalition of Richmond-area shelters, rescue groups, and educational organizations come together at a local PetSmart in hopes of finding homes for some of their adoptable animals. The event takes place on the second Saturday of every month, and this month's event will be on Saturday, March 10, at the PetSmart located at 12264 Chattanooga Plaza, Midlothian VA, 23112. The event runs from 11am to 3pm, and more than 25 animal organizations will be in attendance. So, if you're looking for a new furry friend but haven't had any luck so far, MRPS might just be the answer! Stop by and visit us, RAL will be there with some of our adoptable animals as well!

For more information, please visit www.metrorichmondpetsavers.com.
 

February was an all time record breaking month for adoptions at RAL, and the animal organization is hoping to do it all over again in March. Adoption fees for all cats and kittens have been reduced to just $10, thanks to a generous donation by Mr. C. Leland Bassett, Chairman of Fi-Tech, Inc. and all-around guardian angel for shelter cats. Mr. Bassett holds a soft spot in his heart for adult cats, which are widely accepted to be more difficult to adopt out of shelters than either canines or kittens. RAL, with the help of Mr. Bassett, is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to up its cat adoption numbers. Adult cats make great pets--they're past the rambunctious kitten stage, have learned how to use claws and teeth appropriately, and their personalities and behavior quirks are fully formed so that a potential adopter knows exactly what he or she is getting.

JoJo’s story could easily have ended on a very different note. A few weeks ago, the six year old beagle with a broken pelvis sat in a kennel at Caroline County Animal Shelter, awaiting an uncertain future. Now, he’s starting out on the long road that will lead to recovery and, ultimately, adoption.

Many pets like JoJo are not so lucky. JoJo himself had more than a few strikes against him. Six years old, although barely middle aged in dog years, seems ancient to adopters hoping to come home from a shelter with a cute young puppy. And beagles, who actually make wonderful family pets because of their happy, friendly natures, still have to fight against negative stereotypes (such as “that bark”) that can sometimes lower their adoption rates.

Like many other stray dogs, JoJo is also heartworm positive, which is yet another barrier to a quick and easy adoption.