Lucas County dog warden to hold special year-end adoption event

Speedy, left, a ‘pit bull’ mix who prefers the company of people over dogs, and Taylor, a boxer and Labrador mix who likes to play with toys and other dogs, are available for adoption Saturday.

The Lucas County Dog Warden’s office will hold a special adoption event Saturday with many fees waived in hopes of encouraging more adoptions.

The “Year-End Adoption Close-Out! All 2012 Dogs Must Go!” event will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 410 S. Erie St.

The adoption fees for more than 33 select dogs have been sponsored by individuals and local businesses to help them find homes before the new year.

Adopters of any of these sponsored dogs will have to pay only the license fee to take their new friend home.

This is the first time the pound has tried such an incentive to give adopters an extra push, Dog Warden Julie Lyle said.

About 90 dogs will be available for adoption — the most the pound has ever had up for adoption at one time, she said.

“Some of these dogs have been waiting quite awhile for a family of their own, and we really want them to have a chance to spend the New Year holiday with a loving family,” Ms. Lyle said.

One of the dogs looking for a home for the longest period is Speedy, a shy female who prefers the company of people to other dogs.

The “pit bull” mix came into the pound Oct. 15.

Another dog patiently waiting is Taylor, who came in as a stray Oct. 19.

The boxer and labrador mix likes to play with toys and other dogs.

Additional incentives for adoptions include gift certificates for post-adoption veterinary exams, grooming, pet stores, and even training classes.

The first several adoptions that day will be allowed to choose their prize to go along with their special friend.

The Dog warden’s adoption fee includes the spay/neuter surgery, initial vaccines (distemper/parvo and bordetella), worming, microchip and registration, physical exam, and behavioral evaluation.

The license fee in Lucas County is $25.

Adoption sponsors for this event include Yark Subaru, 6141 W. Central Ave., which is sponsoring the adoption fees on 14 dogs.

“Since we were modeling the promotion after a big car sales event, we thought it would be great to have an automotive sponsor,” Ms. Lyle said.

“One of our volunteers had a contact at Yark and they were willing to help.”

Others sponsoring dogs include Blade Publisher and Editor-in-Chief John Robinson Block; several Lucas County dog warden volunteers; Libbey Glass Golden-Emblem Club; Don Parks of Danberry Realtors, 3624 Navarre Ave., Oregon; Toledo’s Pet Bull Project, and the Monroe Street Diner, 4514 Monroe St.

Donors of adoption incentives include Let the Fur Fly, 2124 N. Holland-Sylvania Rd.; Shoreland Animal Hospital, 4940 Suder Ave.; Grateful Pet Grooming Salon, 5614 Secor Rd.; Scoop-it Pet Waste Removal; Gentle Touch Pet Grooming; Let’s Train Dog Training, 3618 King Rd., Sylvania Township; Gardner Dog Training, 3427 Silica Rd., Sylvania; Pucci Pet Salon Boutique, 4805 Suder Ave.; and Pet Supplies Plus.

The Blade contributed free advertising for the event.

Contact Tanya Irwin at: tirwin@theblade.com or 419-724-6066.