Pet Adoption Fees Waived During San Diego's 'Clear The Shelters' Effort

This is the midday edition, and I am Maureen Cavanaugh . We have adopted a pet day. First shelties across Shelton -- first shelters across San Diego, [Indiscernible] and we will have adopted on. I have Kelly from San Diego Humane Society. And I have Jude [Indiscernible] is the founder of doggie Street Doggie St., Festival. Kelly were in this idea come from? This is been a national movement that has been going on for a couple of years. There are several markets that are working together to clear out the shelters this Saturday. Hopefully we will see animals, get into homes across the country this Saturday. How many handles -- how many animals are in the San Diego shelter? We get about 58 animals in a shelter every day. I have Scooter, and he is available for adoption. And he will be available for adoption this Saturday. You can see a picture of Scooter on our website. You have other things besides dogs? We have kittens and puppies, birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters. What incentives go along with clear the shelter day? This Saturday we are going to wave adoption fees. Any animal you could possibly adopt, the fee will be waived. This is a great way to find a new friend or a companion. Next weekend on Saturday, August, 22 it is the second annual Doggie Street Festival. That started in 2009, and this was in the recession. Personally I was affected by what was going on in the risk event in the shelter in terms of the typical process they were going through there because there were so many animals. I was also recovering from an accident and my dog was my constant companion. I wanted to do something to participate and become part of helping to increase adoption here in San Diego. We get animals in our shelter from all over the county. And we also have individual rescue groups. We had a huge selection of groups that will come out to the festival. So it seems like a blank but seven years has passed. You have any older dogs? We have a huge assortment. You will find labradors and Chihuahuas and spaniels. We have a huge selection from all of the rescue groups that are participating. We have a lot of mixed breeds. And they are so adorable. I think of after seven years of going to the festival, I think all of the animals feel on that day is a lot of love. Are people encouraged to bring their old dogs? -- own dogs? Absolutely. It is wonderful to see people who are going to adopt on the day and we also have cats. We have a lot to enjoy we have music and we are food and we have a lot of information from veterinarians. We have a sampling of everything so if you come to the festival, you will become informed and you can buy goods and products from a huge selection of vendors who have everything. Katzen at a Doggie festival in interesting. Some shelters want to reach zero euthanasia but do you think you have more animals in the shelter? We do. In fact it has not really increase but we have made a commitment to find a solution so that euthanasia is not an option. And this is an amazing thing where shelters can work together. We are all committed to working together for the sake of the animal. And find a solution for the animal no matter what it takes. Animals who need more medical care or behavior resources -- it really does take the support of the community to support that animal. This adorable dog, Scooter has an issue with one of his eyes. He is just losing his mission but he is a very healthy animal. But other pets that have other conditions might be euthanized in the past but now we are committed to getting them the care that they need. Are there reason why the festival happens in the summer? I think the community at large, really want to go out in happens to do with their animals. Like adopt the bonds, -- A& On desk and you can have your pet enjoyed a family activity. We know that dogs in cats our part of the family. They are part of our lives in a profound way and a company has on our journey. How do I pick out a path that is right? -- pet the is right? You have to think about your family for example if you are an active family that likes to do things outdoors, you have to find an animal that is happy to go along with you. How do you find out when you go to a shelter or the event? Meeting with the adoption Council is a great time to let them know what you were looking for. They will ask you questions and it will help you make that right match. They go through training to help people get the right match in the right fit. Have you seen examples of love at first sight? I see this every day. And we hear this all of the time that pets find their people rather than people finding their pets. Is there instant bonding at the festival? Absolutely aired and this is the joy of organizing the festival. You can see that as you walk around. You can see every age group. You'll see little kids and families of every size and shape. When they see that particular animal that they really connect to -- I think animals in general have a very unique way of bonding with us. And they look at us in our eyes and we connect -- and this creates compassion. And I think that we see this all of the time. People are constantly saying, all of the dogs who are here that have families seem so content. This is something where the community has come together to do something good. And to make a lifelong commitment and take an animal home. This is really more than just a festival. We are very fortunate to have wonderful sponsors. We cannot do our festival without our sponsors. We have VCA animal hospital. We have music we had -- we have food and art. We have a variety of vendors but every kind of product. There are beautiful -- enviable things that you need to enhance the life of your pet. As well as having fun. We have many crazy items that you and your cat or dog may enjoy. All San Diego Humane Society location are participating in, cleared the shelter day. And we need to have all the locations on our website and you can check the individual location website to see about visiting. People are certain about this particular event and they say, I am very interested in this. Are there any kind of preparation they need to take between now and Saturday? Your family should be ready for a pet. Because you are committing to carry for this pet and it is a very big responsibility and make sure that you are prepared. Let me ask you, when is the festival taking place? Saturday August, 20, from 9 to 7 and the [Indiscernible] porn and I hope that everybody will come out and join us . Should people bring scoopers? I was just wondering what the etiquette was. And you can bring anything that will pick up that particular idea that item -- of that particular item [Indiscernible] Thank you so much. I have been speaking with Kelly and Jude and Scooter. You will be able to see his picture on our website. Thank you.