Advocates join forces to boost pet adoptions

Car dealer collecting donated supplies

Julie Lyle, director of the county shelter, wants to increase dog adop-tions.

THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER
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Julie Lyle, director of the county shelter, wants to increase dog adop-tions.

The Toledo Area Humane Society, Lucas County Canine Care & Control, and Yark Subaru are teaming up to get as many pets as possible are adopted before Christmas.

The dealership is hosting the event from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at 6141 W. Central Ave. in Sylvania Township.

An abundance of dogs, cats, and pocket pets — such as rabbits and guinea pigs — will be waiting to find their forever families.

“Hopefully, we can get some dogs home for the holidays,” said Julie Lyle, director of the county dog shelter.

The adoption event is made possible by a $2,500 grant to the humane society from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, one of five national charities with which the Subaru brand has teamed up for its annual “Share the Love” event.

The Subaru event runs through Jan. 2 and donates $250 to a customer’s choice of charity each time a new Subaru is purchased.

“Subaru owners love their pets and we’re a very, very pet-friendly brand,” said Dave Boehm, sales manager at Yark Subaru. “It’s all for them. We’re just kind of supplying the space.”

Special off-site events provide a different avenue for potential adopters to find their new best friends. Ms. Lyle said the shelter environment can be intimidating to some people.

“We’re getting out into the community and allowing people to see our animals in a different environment and not in a kennel setting,” she said. “Some people are reluctant to come [to the shelter] and look at dogs, so if they can see them outside the building, it’s a little easier for some people.”

Danielle Jones, the humane society’s director of marketing and development, said it is best to get pets settled in a new home either before or after the Christmas holiday’s craziness.

“It’s not a good idea to introduce a new pet right in the middle of all that,” Ms. Jones said. “Adopting now is a good time, a few weeks before Christmas.”

Yark also is lending a Subaru Outback for a “Stuff the Subaru” donation drive. Visitors are encouraged to donate pet food, toys, and treats by loading them into the sport utility vehicle.

The two rescue agencies will then split the pool of items.

“It’s big,” Mr. Boehm said of the vehicle. “It’s got plenty of room to fill.”

Both rescue groups welcome donations of toys, treats, bedding, towels, and other basic operating necessities.

The Humane Society is in particular need of wet cat food and dry dog food.

“Because we have so many animals coming into the shelter all the time, we’re always in need,” Ms. Jones said.

If rawhide treats are donated, they should ones that are made in the United States, Ms. Lyle said.

The humane society is offering goodie bags for adopters, while the dealership is providing free pet identification tags with custom engraving.

Contact Alexandra Mester at:

amester@theblade.com,

419-724-6066, or on

Twitter @AlexMesterBlade.