Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
Adopting a pet is a common New Year‘s resolution for 2025. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, which is based in the Kansas City area, is helping making it easier to adopt. Its Welcome Home adoption drive in January will help shelter pets find loving homes and will contribute up to $130,000 to offset adoption costs.
“Adoption is life-changing for shelter pets, which is why we are excited to launch our Welcome Home initiative,” said Dr. Karen Shenoy, U.S. chief veterinary officer for the company. “This campaign is designed to support shelters and break down barriers to adoption.”
January is always challenging
The beginning of the year is a critical time for animal shelters nationwide, many of which are at or over capacity. Data from Shelter Animals Count’s 2024 mid-year analysis show that although intakes are lower than the previous year, animals are remaining in shelters for longer periods. It’s leading to a rise in shelter populations.
“Historical trends from 2021 to 2023 show that the population balance in shelters — tracking the number of pets coming in vs. leaving the shelter — follows a similar pattern each year,” said Tori Fugate, director of communications for Shelter Animals Count. Recent studies indicate that shelter populations have increased by 900,000 since January 2021, making initiatives like Welcome Home crucial for managing capacity.
Covering adoption fees
Hill’s is teaming up with 13 shelters across the country to cover adoption fees up to $100 per dog or cat from January 1 to 12. To help newly adopted pets get a healthy start, Hill’s also will provide a free starter bag of Hill’s Science Diet and high-value coupons for their next bag, while supplies last.
Local animal welfare organizations have seen increased success with similar adoption events, and Kansas City area shelters continue to lead innovative approaches to pet adoption. Participating partners in the Kansas City area include the Great Plains SPCA, the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City and Wayside Waifs.
To learn more, visit www.hillspet.com/shelter.
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice
