Placer County Animal Services will host a free, three-hour pet adoption event Saturday, Oct. 4, at 11232 B Ave. in Auburn to mark National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month; so far in 2025, 819 dogs, 814 cats and 166 other pets have come into the Auburn shelter. Adopting these pets can yield long-term community benefits, such as reducing pet overpopulation and strain on municipal shelters, which can ultimately help additional animals in need.

The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is being held with Congressman Kevin Kiley and Placer County Supervisor Shanti Landon as hosts and organizers. Placer County Animal Services says the day will include a pet resource and safety fair, local pet-related vendors and other activities intended to connect animals with new homes. Individuals who cannot adopt can still make a difference by volunteering to help with dog walking, cat socialization, and more.

“Our shelters are filled with dogs and cats who just need someone to give them a chance. I’m grateful to work with Placer County to highlight adoption and the many ways our community can help,” said Kevin Kiley, Congressman. National statistics from shelter tracking organizations indicate that in recent years roughly 2–2.5 million dogs and cats have been adopted annually from U.S. shelters, highlighting the impact of events like these on improving adoption rates.

Placer County officials said the Oct. 4 event is part of the county’s recognition of National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and aims to increase visibility for animals available for adoption. Katie Ingram, PCAS program manager, emphasized the operational impact of each placement: “Every adoption allows us to make room for new arrivals who need care.” This flow is vital, as adoption significantly alleviates the challenges faced by shelters.

Supervisor Shanti Landon noted the range of ways residents can support shelter animals beyond adoption. “This event is such a special opportunity to connect families with pets who are waiting for them. Even if you can’t adopt right now, fostering, volunteering, or simply spreading the word makes a big difference,” she said, echoing the sentiment that resources freed up through adoption support other animals in need.

Organizers are positioning the Auburn shelter’s public day as an opportunity for residents to meet animals available for adoption and to learn about local resources. Placer County said the event will feature special adoption events and promotions alongside vendor booths and information tables operated by local pet-related organizations.

Placer County Animal Services described the animals in simple terms: dogs and cats who just need someone to give them a chance. The agency said animals at the shelter leave in a few different ways—adopted, returned to their owners or rescued—depending on each animal’s situation, a structure that helps ensure more pets find loving homes.

Logistics for the day include a concentrated three-hour window of public hours, intended to streamline the adoption process and increase foot traffic at the Auburn facility. With hundreds of thousands of pets being euthanized annually in U.S. shelters according to national shelter data, the urgency for community engagement is high, and Placer County plans additional promotions tied to the month-long observance. Officials encouraged residents to attend the Oct. 4 kickoff at the shelter.

For more details on the county’s Adopt a Shelter Dog Month efforts, see the Placer County announcement linked on the county website.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.