Mountain America Credit Union will pick up the tab for the adoption of all larger dogs this weekend at the Humane Society of Utah. Photo credit: Stock photo via Deseret News Pets are often considered a part of the family, so when one goes missing, passes away or is sick, it can often be difficult for children and parents.
SALT LAKE CITY — This is a big weekend for the Humane Society of Utah, which reports a surge of larger dogs at their shelters. A local credit union has stepped up to pay the tab for large dog adoptions, this weekend only.
Mountain America Credit Union will pay for dogs adoptions at the shelter on 4242 South 300 West Murray from Friday, Feb. 3 through Sunday Feb. 5. Heidi Camacho, spokesperson for Mountain America, said they heard the shelter was filling up with large breed dogs.
For the past couple of weeks, the humane society says their big dog population has increased, likely in part due to bad economic times and trouble finding affordable housing that allows pets.
The Humane Society of Utah’s Guinnevere Shuster says they’ve seen a big surge in large-breed dogs and puppies at their facility in the last five days. She says one reason may be hard economic times, with more people not able to afford to keep pets in their homes, or in housing that doesn’t allow pets.
“Unfortunately, it comes down to people being able to afford their pets right now, or being able even to find affordable housing that allows large breed dogs,” according to Shuster.
Originally, they had planned a weekend of half-off adoption fees for dogs over 50 pounds, but now, Mountain America has stepped in and offered to pay those adoptions in full. Camacho says they were ready to jump in and help, when it looked like the humane society needed it the most.
“They have a lot of expenses to cover, we just understood there was a great need and we stepped in to help make a difference in these animals’ lives and to help make their goal a reality,” says Camacho.
She says anyone who is thinking of taking home a furry new best friend can start out on the society’s website at www.utahhumane.org/adopt to see what dogs and breeds are available.
Mountain America has partnered with HSU to spread awareness and help find homes for the many dogs, cats and other animals looking for a loving family.
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