To respond to the high volume of animals currently at the shelter, the Animal Rescue League of Berks County (ARL) has announced a pay-what-you-can adoption weekend starting tomorrow, Friday, November 11, 2022, through Sunday, November 13, 2022.
“We are at critical capacity at the moment which is not normal for this time of the year, and we hope that this event will help us find good homes for the animals while giving us the space we desperately need,” said José Joel Delgado-Rivera, ARL’s Chief Communications Officer.
“Currently, we have 195 cats and kittens at the shelter, although our capacity for care is only 125. In addition to these cats, we have 40 dogs and five cases of cat collectors (hoarders) that range between 25 to 100 cats per case waiting to come into the shelter.”
The special adoption event will include all animals over 6 months of age.
All adopters must go through the ARL’s regular procedures to adopt, including the completion of an adoption profile and speaking with an adoption counselor to ensure that the pet they select is a good match for their home, family, and lifestyle.
Adopters are encouraged to bring their family members to meet their new pet at the time of adoption and to bring their dogs from home for a meet and greet other dogs at the shelter.
Dog adopters will also want to bring cash or a check for a $7 dog license, which is required at the time of adoption under PA law. Adopters will also want to bring a cat carrier (or they can purchase one from the ARL for $5) and a dog collar and leash (or they can purchase one from the ARL).
The ARL will be open Friday from 1 – 6:30 PM (waitlist closes at 6:00 PM) and Saturday and Sunday from 1 – 5:00 PM (waitlist closes at 4:30 PM); no appointments are necessary.
A virtual “line” is set up at www.berksarl.org/hello where guests can check in when they arrive at the shelter. All guests will be able to check their place in line and be notified by text when it’s their turn to work with an adoption counselor. At this time, masks are encouraged.
