City Of Stockton Animal Shelter Full, Pit Bulls Offered For Free
STOCKTON (CBS13) – The City of Stockton Animal Shelter is completely full, prompting a cry for help from staff.
"I am going to be completely honest with you, when this happens and we can't find other positive outcomes for the animals, humane euthanasia occurs more frequently," wrote Phillip Zimmerman, manager of the shelter, in a Facebook post Thursday morning.
Zimmerman notes that most of the animals at the shelter are pit bulls dumped by their owners. Compounding the problem is the fact that many people don't want to adopt pit bulls due to their negative reputation.
As of Thursday, Zimmerman says, pit bulls and pit bull mixes will now be available to adopt for free.
"We regularly offer free adoptions but still want them to go to good homes," Zimmerman writes. "We are ridiculed because we offer these free adoptions but we need to help adopters afford the costs of a new pet and we need to save lives."
Zimmerman cites both grim and encouraging numbers: Only 32% of animals left the shelter alive back in 2012. But last year, even with the shelter taking in more than 11,000 animals, 75% found homes.
"I am pleading to you, if you have the time and resources to adopt one of these animals, please do," Zimmerman writes.
The pit bulls for free promotion will be in effect for until Zimmerman directs otherwise.
For information on pets currently available for adoption, head to the shelter's website: http://www.stocktongov.com/government/departments/police/animal.html
