It’s hard not to feel joy when you’re at My Furry Valentine. Everywhere you look, kids are finding their first dog, couples are starting their families together, and someone is filling the void of a lost friend by rescuing a new one. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you can actually see the moment when a dog or cat picks his new family, and to know what is in store for him when he gets home can bring tears to your eyes. Some of the dogs at the event have been sleeping in shelters for months, just hoping someone will see the sparkle in their eyes. To think that after months in a shelter, that sweet dog is going to get a warm bath, a cozy bed, and all the toys he could ever want is almost overwhelming. But yesterday, the first day of our event, that is exactly what happened for 292 dogs, 96 cats, and one small critter.
Yesterday, we had 5,777 visitors come through our doors. We will still be finalizing adoptions with groups who require additional steps, and our numbers will continue to climb, but this also means that the overwhelming number of people just came out to be a part of a rescue event, make donations, support great causes like beating canine cancer and protecting K9 officers, and have a fun day with their families. And we are also grateful for this. We are thrilled with the number of adoptions, but we know
not everyone is in a position to adopt at this time. To know that we are spreading the word to “adopt, not shop” means that we are helping future animals who will be looking for their homes. Supporting My Furry Valentine means we can keep helping animals in need, and the no-kill movement will continue to grow.
So thank you to all of the families who adopted yesterday. Thank you to all of the rescues and shelters who trusted us to be a part of your adoption process. Thank you to the countless volunteers who gave their time to help make the event run smoothly. And thank you to the community for embracing our mission.
Still looking for your furry valentine? We’ll be back at the Sharonville Convention Center from 11am to 5pm today! Not ready to bring a new family member home? Why not adopt one of our My Furry Valentine stuffed dogs or cats! You can also help in a big way by bringing in donations directly for the shelters and rescues to take with them at the end of the event. Items like bags of food, towels, blankets, and bleach are always in need. In any case, in any way you contribute to the event, we’re excited to have you and can’t wait to see what today has in store.
