Special adoption event on July 12th

Rescued dogs will be available to the public

The St. Johns County Pet Center has announced a Special Adoption Event on Saturday, July 12, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm to make some of the pure-bred dogs rescued from the Tennessee puppy mill raid available to the public for adoption. The Special Adoption Event will be held at the Pet Center, located at 130 N. Stratton Road, off US-1 between County Road 210 and International Golf Parkway.

The Pet Center has been overwhelmed with responses and support following the announcement that 31 animals rescued from a Tennessee puppy mill raid are being cared for at the Pet Center. Citizens from St. Johns County and the surrounding communities have been generous with the donations of money and towels, and hundreds of people have inquired about adopting the dogs.

While the Pet Center is extremely appreciative of the donations and support, they remind the public that the dogs are unavailable for adoption at this time. Also, because the animals are still under quarantine, they are not able to be viewed by the public.

In an attempt to give everyone an equal opportunity to adopt the highly sought-after dogs, the Pet Center will allow those approved for release to be adopted at the Special Adoption Event on Saturday, July 12, along with all other animals at the Pet Center. The animals will be available beginning at 9:00 am on a first-come, first-served basis.

The format for the Special Adoption Event will allow up to three members of the public to enter at a time, each accompanied by a staff member, to view the animals and make a selection. The rescued pure-bred dogs will be limited to one per family.

The adoption cost for the rescued animals will be $60 for males and $70 for females. This price includes spay/neuter, rabies vaccines and other applicable shots, as well as the insertion of a micro-chip. The Pet Center welcomes additional donations at the owners’ discretion to help pay for the extensive veterinarian bills.

Please note that some of the rescued dogs may still be unavailable on July 12 due to health-related or other issues. Also, visitors will have access to all other animals at the Pet Center and may adopt any of them.

The Pet Center also reminds those interested in adopting the rescued animals that they were rescued from very poor conditions and will likely have health and behavioral problems. Their future care may include significant financial obligations as a result.

Individuals are encouraged to consider these issues fully before committing to adoption. Per Humane Society of the United States requirements, the animals will also be re-checked at 30, 60, and 90-day increments following the adoptions.

In order to prepare for the Pet Adoption Event, the Pet Center will be closed Wednesday through Friday, July 9-11. It will reopen at 9:00 am on Saturday, July 12.

At this time the public is encouraged to refrain from calling or visiting the Pet Center to inquire about the rescued animals in order to allow the staff to focus on all the animals in their care. St. Johns County appreciates the public’s cooperation and understanding in this matter.

Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation may write a check to the St. Johns County Pet Center and mail it to the following address:

St. Johns County Pet Center
130 N. Stratton Road
St. Augustine, FL 32095

For questions about the Special Adoption Event planned for July 12 or making a donation to the Pet Center, please contact Stacey Stanish at 209-0545.