By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On Saturday, Landers McLarty Ford of Fort Payne will partner with the Friends of DeKalb County Animal Adoption Center to host an Adopt-A-Pet Event.
The event, which is the first of its kind at Landers McLarty’s Fort Payne location, will begin at 9am and go to 2pm. Landers McLarty Ford is located at 1916 Glenn Blvd SW in Fort Payne, Alabama.
Over the last four years, Landers McLarty’s Fayetteville, Tenn. location began the event as an outreach to help find homes for the community’s animals. According to Richard Archer, general manager of Landers McLarty Ford, last year’s event in Tennessee saw ten dogs and two cats adopted.
“We’re hoping to post the same numbers as last year’s event [in Tennessee],” said Archer. “This is not an event just to get car sales.”
“There’s no politics in pets,” he continued. In addition to the Adopt-A-Pet Event, there will be a “Cutest Pet” event, so those who stop by to adopt are encouraged to bring their own furry friends along with them to participate!
The Friends of the DeKalb County Animal Adoption Center (FODCAAC) was formally founded in 2016, after acting under non-profit status for one year.
“Our main goal with this event is raising awareness,” said Holly Houston, a founder of the organization and its current treasurer. “People don’t realize the severity of not spaying and neutering pets in DeKalb County. We are overpopulated.”
Houston stated that while the euthanasia rate in DeKalb County has fallen from 70 percent to 52 percent in recent years, the number is still too high. However, the DeKalb County Animal Adoption Center is not a no-kill shelter, simply because of the lack of space; therefore, events like this weekend’s are vital.
The volunteers, not shelter staff, who make up the FODCAAC are dedicated to increasing community awareness, increasing visibility and being a voice for the animals in our area in need.
For more information on adopting a pet outside of special events across the County, please visit the DeKalb County Animal Adoption Center at 2601 Jordan Road SW behind Lowe’s in Fort Payne or give them a call at (256) 304-0474. Donations can be made via the organization's Facebook page or via PayPal at friendsofdcaac@gmail.com.
