On Jan. 16, Evans Chevrolet will belong to cats and dogs.
The Baldwinsville dealership will graciously open its showroom to Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association (WHRA) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday to conduct a pet adopt-a-thon for homeless animals.
“Our plan is to bring adoptable [dogs and cats] and showcase them in Evans’ indoor show room,” said Stefanie Higgins, the community outreach coordinator for WRHA. “We would like to invite the community to come to the event to adopt a shelter dog or cat. Or just come for the fun.”
According to Higgins, WRHA volunteer Barb Getman of Radisson approached Mark Evans, owner of Evans Chevy, about hosting the event. Being an animal lover, Evans gladly agreed.
Organized by WRHA, the event has several purposes, the main goal being to find shelter animals their forever homes.
“Many people do not care for going into animal shelters, so instead we bring the animals to them,” Higgins said.
It also brings awareness to the plight of homeless animals. According to Higgins, millions of animals live in shelters and rescues across the country and “events like this educate people of the importance of adoption.”
Lastly, it gives the animals a break from the shelter.
“Shelter life is rough for a lot of animals. Even though we tend to their needs as much as possible, there is nothing better for these guys than going for a car ride to a place where they get a lot of attention from the public,” Higgins said. “And what would be even better than that is a cozy home they could call their own.”
The event will feature animals and volunteers from Helping Hounds dog rescue of Manlius and Kitty Corner of Liverpool, in addition to information regarding proper care for pets and other humane education material.
“I hope to find everyone of our animals a new home,” Higgins said. “Also, as the volunteer coordinator, I hope to recruit more volunteers for Wanderers’ Rest. We need volunteers to help — from doing chores at the shelter, to walking dogs, to fostering animals in their homes.”
While participants will not be able to take pets home directly from the event, they can fill out an adoption application for a particular animal and WRHA will hold the animal while the application is processed.
“The application must be approved and the adopters must have a good veterinarian check,” Higgins said.
Located in Canastota, WRHA is an open admission animal shelter housing cats and dogs that works diligently to find the animals forever homes by showcasing them at the shelter and taking them out into the community. The facility can hold up to 55 cats and 35 dogs and features a kitten room and cat community room in which the cats are free roaming. According to Higgins, WRHA dogs and puppies receive a lot of attention from the staff and volunteers who walk them on the facility’s nature trails and play games of frisbee in the doggy play yard. WRHA receives a small percentage of funding from Madison County, but is primarily funded through personal donations.
Dixie J is one of numerous animals that will be featured during Saturday’s adopt-a-thon held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Evans Chevrolet in Baldwinsville. Stefanie Higgins of Canastota’s Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association helped organize the event.
