(WJAR) — Several local animal shelters have partnered with NBC 10 for the nationwide “Clear the Shelters” initiative.
Participating shelters offered reduced or discounted fees.
By Saturday afternoon over 80 animals had new homes.
The Potter League for Animals in Middletown reported 36 adoptions just at their location. Adding on Facebook that 36 animals "found loving families today", and "36 animals are sleeping in their new homes tonight."
“There will not be another Saturday like this all year. There's no question that all the attention that ‘Clear the Shelters’ has brought is the cause of all these animals being able to go home today,” said Brad Shear, the executive director of Potter League for Animals.
A young girl named Mia Peront, left the shelter with her new one-year-old border collie, Jack.
“I fed him a little and he ate out of my hand and then I said, ‘I think this is for me because he eats out of my hand and he's nice and he's not crazy,’” Mia said.
New best friends Mia Peront and border collie Jack are about to go home to start a new life. (WJAR)
Lucy Catalino, who lives in Newport, adopted a 10-month-old corgi mix named Charlie. She told NBC 10 she wished more people would adopt animals.
“I think most people forget that sometimes the dogs that need homes are the ones that will be the most loving and they’ll give you everything that you want versus if you go to a pet store,” Catalino said.
At the Pawtucket Municipal Animal Shelter over a dozen applications were started and many found homes.
Like Martin, who joined a pack of three dogs with new human parents.
Or Timmy the rabbit who also found a home.
And a pair of cats found what NBC 10's Emily Volz termed a "furever home" with Eliza and Scott.
In East Providence Colleen Silva of Tiverton adopted sibling Chihuahuas , Droopy and Lucky, after seeing an NBC 10 Facebook live featuring the two.
All over the state, new parents and their new furry little ones met and got to know one another.
Animals of all kinds and dogs of all breeds were prompt for new homes.
A lovely cattle dog mix named Jersey was featured on social media wearing an adorable "adopt me" flag and gained lots of likes and shares during the event, but did not find a home.
The Rhode Island SPCA was quick to note that Jersey's adoption fee is waived, and hoped to find the adorable pooch a home soon.
As of the weekend, many adoptions were still pending a background check and the number of adoptions may tick upwards.