Marion County Animal Services at commissioners meeting August 2022 resized

Marion County Animal Services, along with shelters across the country, are participating in this month’s ‘Clear the Shelter’ campaign, and all adoption and holding fees are being waived through Wednesday, August 31.

The annual pet adoption and shelter donation campaign is spearheaded by NBCUniversal Local, a division of NBCUniversal. Marion County Animal Services is once again participating in the campaign to help remove possible barriers to pet adoptions and reunions.

For the remainder of the month, anyone interested in growing their family with a furry friend can do so for free. Pet owners who have identified their lost pet in Marion County Animal Services’ online gallery or by walking through the center will be reunited with their lost pet at no charge.

Marion County Animal Services July 2022 Julie Stinson with the Animal Services team plays with an adoptable dog in the play yard
An Animal Services team member plays with an adoptable dog in the play yard (Photo courtesy of Marion County Animal Services)

Marion County Animal Services brought adoptable dogs to a recent Marion County Board of County Commissioners meeting to help raise awareness of the free adoptions during National Clear the Shelters Month.

Marion County Animal Services at commissioners meeting August 2022 resized
Animal Services brought adoptable dogs to meet the county commissioners and raise awareness of the month-long campaign (Photo courtesy of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners)

Director of Marion County Animal Services Jim Sweet said, “Clear the Shelters is an annual, nationwide pet adoption and shelter donation campaign that we love to participate in every year. We want to provide the opportunity for the community to come to our facility and add a best friend to their family or be reunited with their old friend.”

“We are excited to provide our community with a healthy and happy friend that will bring years of love and fun. Right now is the time to come out and meet your new family member, and we will take care of everything else,” added Sweet.

Marion County Animal Services One of Animal Services adoptable cats
This adoptable cat enjoys being scratched behind the ears (Photo courtesy of Marion County Animal Services)

Marion County Animal Services’ dedication to remaining a no-kill shelter depends on the community’s continued support through adoptions and pet reunions. The department hopes this event will connect pets in their care with good and loving ‘furever’ homes.

Each pet’s adoption will include all updated vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, and a microchip registering the pet to their new family.

Marion County Animal Services is accepting donations which will help improve the lives of all animals within the facility. Donations can be made in person, online, or mailed to Marion County Animal Services at: 5701 SE 66th Street, Ocala, FL 34480.

For more information, or to view the adoptable and lost pets, please visit the Marion County Animal Services website.