On Saturday September 11 the Corrine T. Smith Animal Center held a “Clear The Shelter” event in which dog and cat adoptions were free for the one day.  “Clear The Shelter” is a nationwide event, sponsored by the NBC television network.  Locally it was a huge success, with 80 dogs and cats finding new forever homes, including all adoptable cats.

Shelter Director Leona Cleveland explained that they decided to participate in the event because the shelter was severely overcrowded, holding almost double the capacity for dogs and cats.  The shelter can house up to 90 dogs and cats, but recently had 170 on hand.  The 80 animal adoptions provided a great relief, but Cleveland emphasized that the adoptions brought them down to the full capacity of 90.

Cleveland said that after the event, they had a surge of persons wanting to surrender their dog or cat to the shelter, but they are unable to take them right now because they are still full.  Owner surrenders must be done by appointment only.

While the adoptions were free, donations were accepted, and about $2400 was collected, averaging about $30 per animal.  Normal adoption cost, which includes shots and a spay/neuter certificate, is about $90.

All dog and cat adoptions from the Animal Center come with a mandatory spay or neuter, which was still required in this event even with the free adoptions.  A number of sponsors contributed toward the spay/neuters, covering about 75% of that expense.  The sponsors are listed below.

The Brownwood Lion victory bell was on site, and rang each time a dog or cat found a new home.

Director Leona Cleveland explained one reason for the overcrowding at the shelter is because they have not been able lately to send any animals to rescue organizations.  Those organizations are full, and their activities have been hampered by the COVID pandemic.  The Corrine T. Smith Animal Center has not euthanized any animals in almost two years, but may have to resume that practice if the shelter overfills again.

The shelter is always in need of items used in daily operations.  If you would like to help, you can donate the following:  Scented clumping cat litter; kitten food (wet and dry); laundry soap; Dawn dish soap; 39-gal. contractor trash bags; 13-gal. extra strong trash bags; wax melts (Scentsy); Round Up weed killer; and gasoline cards.

The Glory Potts softball team came to the event with a large donation of needed supplies.

The photographs are courtesy of Dedrick Hail with Be Okay Photography.

Clear The Shelter Event Sponsors:

Earl Bilbrey Farm and Ranch Real Estate

Casey Ray, Inc.

David Robnett — Robnett Integra Insurance

David and Renae Riker — Suretite Products

Taylor Clinic

AIT

Matt Williams State Farm Insurance

Window Operating LTD

Hi-Way Auto Parts

Petsense

A1 Locksmith

Bart and Debra Johnson

Leah Roberts CPA

JoLynn and Terry Landrum

Betty and Alan Cass

The Hen House

Grider Paving LLC

Longhorn Auto Sales

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service

Frank and Karen Lynch

Donna and Buddy Reynolds

Brownwood Janitorial

The UPS Store

Central Texas Auto Recyclers

Nathans Jewelers

Hi-Way Auto Scrap Yard