AUBURN, CA (MPG) - Placer County Animal Services will be hosting a special event for California Adopt-A-Pet Day on Saturday, June 1, at their Auburn shelter, featuring free adoptions and fun activities to help you get to know adoptable animals like “Doggy Speed Dating.”

Adoptions are sponsored by CalAnimals and partners including ASPCA. If unable to attend the June 1 event, PCAS will also be offering discounted $5 adoptions throughout the month of June in an effort to reduce overcrowding at the shelter heading into the summer months.

“Our shelter is at capacity with dogs, and we urgently need the community's support to find loving homes. Adopting a shelter dog not only saves a life but also helps us make space for more animals in need,” said Katie Ingram, the shelter’s program manager. For the past two years the shelter has taken in an average of 130 dogs per month, 25% higher than in the five years prior. Meanwhile, the average time spent in the shelter has nearly doubled for dogs.

Event Highlights:

• Free pet adoptions: Adopt a pet at no cost during the event, thanks to our sponsors.
• Doggy Speed Dating: Meet your match in a fun and interactive setting, and see the dogs in outside of their kennels.
• Kitten foster orientation: Can’t commit long-term but want to help? Learn how to foster kittens during an 11:30 training.
• Volunteer orientations: Learn about other volunteer opportunities with PCAS during sessions at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Beyond the event, shelter staff are encouraging community members to practice responsible pet ownership in order to limit the number of shelter intakes, including:

1. Spay and neuter: Ensure your pets are spayed or neutered to help control the animal population.
2. Microchip and ID Tags: Microchip your pets and ensure they wear ID tags with current contact information, to help ensure a speedy return should they escape. More pets go missing during the July 4th weekend than any other time of the year.
3. Consider the commitment: Before bringing a new animal into your home, think carefully and make sure you have the time, resources and space to give it a happy life.
4. Training and socialization: Invest time in training and socializing your pets to ensure they are well-behaved and happy.
5. If you must give up a pet: Try a rescue organization or seek out a responsible owner via Facebook rehoming groups before bringing your pet to a shelter that is already at capacity and may not be able to accept it.

For more information about the event or to learn how you can help PCAS, please visit placer.ca.gov/animal or call (530) 886-5540.