On one of the busiest shopping days of the year, why let the stores have all the fun?
More Top Picks How To Get A Dyslexia Diagnosis For Your Child
The big savings Friday at South Suburban Humane Society in Matteson involves waived adoption fees and other perks, but also the knowledge that animals are being saved from further time in the shelter by being welcomed into loving homes.
The society’s first Black Friday event is from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at its adoption center, 21800 Central Ave. In addition to the waived fees, the first 10 people to adopt a kitten or cat will get a “cute swag bag” with bed, toys, hard-sided carrier, cat treats and Christmas necklace or breakaway collar that breaks off when stuck on something.
The first 10 dog or puppy adopters get a “pretty cool bag, as well,” said Stacey Carnithan, a humane society coordinator. Those bags include a dog bed, Kong toys, leash and collar, treats, a Whistle smart device with app that tracts their activity level, and a DNA kit.
The gifts are donated by Petsmart at Rivercrest Shopping Center in Crestwood.
People get some treats as well, in the form of free cupcakes from SmallCakes Cupcakery in Evergreen Park for the first 20 adopters.
Adopted pets are spayed or neutered and have appropriate vaccinations plus microchipping.
“It’s going to be really great that they don’t have to worry about that financially,” Carnithan said.
She said adopters are always in demand, but even more so lately.
“We still have lots of cats coming in as strays, cats being surrendered by owners, Carnithan said. “Kitten season really hasn’t stopped.”
Jeremy Manthey, a communications coordinator for the shelter, said the need is high for dog and puppy adopters, too.
“Shelters are kind of going through a lot and are dealing with an issue of space where we adopt (out) a dog and take in two — at least that’s how it feels,” he said. Manthey said the shelter even has some dogs staying with staff in their offices because of the overflow.
He said there are 27 kennels, each with an available dog on the adoption floor, plus a separate space for smaller dogs and puppies, totaling 70-80 dogs. Some are strays still on hold in case owners come forward.
“We have a lot of very sweet dogs who are ready for their forever homes,” Mathey said.
With the surge in available shelter pets, special adoption events like these are especially important, according to organizers.
“Animal shelters all across the country and here in Chicago are experiencing unprecedented intake and fewer adoptions,” said Emily Klehm, the shelter’s CEO who thought up the idea for the event with Megan Rola-Podczaski, chief operating officer. “We have historically been open on Black Friday and even done fee-waived events but we decided to try this in order to address our ongoing intake crisis issues.
“We’ve been at or over capacity every day for the last year and a half, so we’re willing to try anything,” Klehm said.
The society also is having a Cyber Monday event Nov. 27, when people may donate items from Amazon’s, Walmart’s and Chewy’s wish lists https://southsuburbanhumane.org/donate.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.