GREAT FALLS — The Great Falls Animal Shelter is once again taking part in the Bissell Pet Foundation ‘Empty the Shelters’ Event, as the shelter works with limited resources to provide the best care possible while dealing with overcrowding.
The shelter is joining the event through the Bissell Pet Foundation, which is the largest-funded adoption event in the nation. To encourage potential pet owners, all adoption fees will be reduced to $20 until July 31st, excluding the city license fee.
Due to constant capacity, these events significantly increase the number of homeless animals adopted, doubling the adoption rate to around 15 to 20 per week.
Aside from adoption, there are various ways to help alleviate the burden on the shelter and assist the animals. The shelter is always in need of dedicated volunteers to help enhance the animals’ lives by walking dogs and playing with cats.
Laramie Smovir, the operations director, highlighted that another way to assist is by volunteering and spending time with the animals to give them a break from their kennel space and offer positive interactions.
Donations of cleaning supplies like dish soap and detergent are welcomed and aid in maintaining a clean, healthy environment for the animals. Dishes, beds, and blankets used by the animals are washed daily, making these supplies essential.
In addition, animals receive vaccinations, spaying, and neutering through contributions to the shelter’s Guardian Fund, which also serves as their emergency medical fund.
“If we have an animal that’s brought into the facility that has been hit by a car, or has some other excessive medical need, it is paid for out of that Guardian Angel Fund, so we’re always looking for people to donate,” Smovir explained.
The reduced adoption fees do not cover the cost of the city license for residents within city limits. Licenses can be obtained at the animal shelter or participating veterinary clinics.
Click here to view the current list of adoptable pets.
The Great Falls Animal Shelter is located at 1010 25th Avenue NE. For more information, call 406-454-2276, or visit the website here.
