Loving homes sought for shelter animals

The Monmouth County SPCA kicked off this year’s "Home 4 the Holidays 2003" campaign recently with a shelter pet adoption outreach at Cosmopawlitan, Colts Neck, and a shelter awareness drive at ShopRite in West Long Branch.

Close to 30 shelter cats and dogs found homes and more than $500 was raised in donations to support the MCSPCA’s efforts to provide for the community’s neglected, abandoned and abused animals.

"Home 4 the Holidays" is a nationwide campaign wherein shelters across the nation join the Helen Woodward Foundation, the Iams Co., and PETCO Animal Supplies Inc. to raise awareness of the desirability of shelter-adopted pets. Last year more than 180,000 lives were saved as a result of the program. Orphaned dogs, cats and other companion pets were matched with loving, adoptive families, according to a press release. In addition to pet adoption outreaches around the county, the MCSPCA is promoting pet adoptions through its Web site, www.monmouthcountyspca.org, as well as through advertisements and the MCSPCA newsletter, "Wall Street Tails."

All pets adopted during "Home 4 the Holidays 2003" will go home with their new family with a gift certificate that can be redeemed at any local PETCO for an adoption gift booklet, a free "holiday meal" of Iams dog or cat food, and up to $180 in savings on other pet needs.

Anyone interested in adopting a shelter pet may stop by the MCSPCA, 260 Wall St., Eatontown, or call (732) 542-0040. The shelter is open Saturday through Tuesday from 1-5 p.m., and Thursday and Friday 1-6 p.m.