Columbia Animal Services offers adoption special through end of October

October is “Adopt a Shelter Dog” month and to support the effort, Columbia Animal Services is running an adoption promotion through Oct. 31. The organization is offering $20 adoptions on all of its dogs and cats housed at the shelter off of Shop Road. 

Those who are interested in adopting a dog or a cat are welcome to visit Columbia Animal Services during business hours and meet the animals.

“People can come in and see if there are any animals they are interested in and spend some time with those animals,” said Mandy Smith, an employee at Columbia Animal Services. “After they spend time with the animal, if they want to adopt, they fill out the adoption paper, pay the adoption fee and take their new pet home.”

There are currently about 30 dogs and 80-100 cats available for adoption. People who already have a fluffy friend at home may bring their pets to interact with the potential pups that might be added to the family. 

Adoption specials at Columbia Animal Services are run periodically throughout the year.

“Sometimes it’s around holidays and sometimes there are national and statewide adoption specials we participate in,” Smith said. “They do usually lead to more adoptions; people come in and see the animals more. There is more traffic during that time, the specials tend to get more notice.”

Tori Mosley had always seen Columbia Animal Service’s distinctive entrance sign, which features a giant dog and cat, while driving. She spontaneously decided to stop by early last August with her husband.

“Once I saw Bayne, I just knew he had to come home with us,” Mosley said, talking about her pit bull mix. “We spent some time with him just to make sure he was a good fit for us as well as us being a good fit for him, so we were able to walk him around in the little area they have and just gauge his personality.”

They made the decision to adopt, filled out the paperwork, paid the small fee and then were on their way home.

“I’m honestly so glad we adopted, because he is the absolute best dog. He’s made a bond with me and literally follows me around everywhere, it’s like he knows he was rescued,” Mosley said. “After having adopted, I highly recommend adopting any day. There are so many fur babies that need a good home and most of the time they end up being the best and most loyal pets.”

To adopt a pet from Columbia Animal Services, people must be 18 years of age or older and must have their ID with them when they arrive. 

All animals available for adoption have been vaccinated, microchipped, dewormed and spayed or neutered. All dogs have been tested for heartworm. 

Cats must go home with their new owner in a carrier, and dogs must go home with a collar and a leash. New owners can bring these items with them to pick up their pet or buy them from Columbia Animal Services at the time of the adoption. 

To see pictures and descriptions of pets that are available to adopt from Columbia Animal Services, visit Petfinder.com. 

Columbia Animal Services is located at 127 Humane Lane in Columbia, South Carolina, and is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call (803) 776-7387 for more information or visit Columbia Animal Services’ website.