PAWS Holds Weekly Pet Adoption Fair

By Deah Williams

Motlow Buzz Reporter

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Pet Adoption and Welfare Services of Rutherford County hosted a pet adoption fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 15 at PetSmart in Smyrna, Tennessee, where many animals found a new home.

On Saturday, PAWS sent a trailer to PetSmart for its pet adoption event. The trailer was attached to one of its vehicles, providing air conditioning or heat, electricity and water. The trailer did so even without the vehicle running. This made it easy for pet owners to adopt pets straight from the trailer.

The trailer held four to eight dogs at a time depending on the size of the animals. If the dogs got along, attendants were able to put two to a kennel, making more room for more dogs to get adopted.

“In the past, we would try to go to the Murfreesboro and Smyrna PetSmarts every weekend, but it was difficult as our staff stays very busy,” said Lindsay Frierson, the public relations media specialist at PAWS of Rutherford County. 

The PAWS staff decided that it was best to send animal specialists out every third Saturday to the Smyrna location, and every fourth Saturday to Murfreesboro, to improve their pet adoption efforts.

“It is definitely a major help to the organization in finding homes for these animals,” said Frierson.

Adopting animals from PAWS has no worries behind it.  The animals come spayed or neutered and tested for heartworms and illnesses. The adoption fee varies between each animal, but will not exceed $80. Anyone who is interested in adopting for approval, should allow themselves 30 minutes to an hour to fill out paperwork.

Volunteers get to walk and play with all of the animals.
(Photo by Deah Williams)

Dozens of people visited the trailer in an effort to find new pets. Although not every animal was adopted, a few found new homes. The animal specialists shared stories about the animals and explained their personalities to help better their chances of getting adopted.

Lara, a pit-bull mix, shares her love.
(Photo by Deah Williams)

For more information on the PAWS adoption fairs, visit their Facebook page at PAWS of Rutherford County at www.facebook.com/rutherfordcountypaws. The website lists upcoming events and pet adoption fairs. 

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