‘Gotcha Day’ adoption event sends 19 dogs and cats to their forever homes

Twelve-year-old Austin Anderson and his mother, Tonia, were getting an authentic experience playing with Ferris in a living room.

But it wasn’t their living room at home, but the ‘real life room’ at Manatee County Animal Services where families can go with a dog they are considering adopting in order to get a more intimate setting.

“We’re still in the deciding stages,” Anderson said. “Austin’s been wanting a dog.”

But the boy quickly interjects, “So have you.”

The two played with Ferris, a pit bull mix, who is more than excited.

“When I was looking at all the dogs, most of them were barking,” Anderson said. “Ferris was over there crying and wanting attention, so that’s why I was drawn to him.”

More than a dozen families went home with a new furry friend from Manatee County Animal Service’s “Gotcha Day” event on Saturday.

Of the 250 dogs and cats that were up for adoption, 10 dogs and nine cats went to their forever homes during the daylong event. Adoptions fees were reduced to $10 at both the Palmetto shelter, 305 25th St. W., for dogs and cats as well as the downtown Bradenton location, 1002B Manatee Ave. W., for cats only, during the event.

“Always in the summer, we are faced with high numbers,” animal services outreach and events specialist Hans Wohlgefahrt said.

But the mastermind behind the event was Lori Gurley, with Friends of Manatee County Animal Services, a non-profit that raises money for the shelter.

“In the adoption and rescue world, we never know when a dog’s birthday is,” Gurley said. “But I like to celebrate my dog’s ‘Gotcha Day.’ It’s a common term used by rescues and shelters.”

As a result, “Gotcha Day” birth certificates were given to anyone who adopted a dog or cat during the event.

Three-year-old Harrison was clutched to his mother, Guerline Appolon, who held the toddler on her hip. The boy watched as an Animal Services worker helped his father get a harness on their family’s new dog.

“He’s my friend,” Harrison said excitedly.

His mother held him so he could get used to the pit bull mix, Baby, before they took the dog home. The family, from Ruskin, had been considering getting a dog for two years, she said.

“Today I was driving and saw the signs for the event ... and I fell in love with Baby,” Appolon said.

Staff and volunteers also used the event as a way to educate people on the Fourth of July, the day of the year when the most pets go missing, according to Wohlgefahrt. Tip sheets were provided to people with the following tips:

▪  Take your dog for a long walk before the holiday festivities begin. This will allow them to potty before the noise begins and it tires them out.

▪  Never use fireworks around your dog. The noise can spook them into taking off, or they can accidentally get burned by the fireworks.

▪  Make sure your dog is wearing an ID collar with your current contact info. Collars can come off, so microchip your dog as well and be sure to register it.

▪  Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for dogs. Resist the urge to bring your dog with you to the festivities.

▪  Leave your dog at home with all the windows securely closed and all the shades drawn. Turn on some music to drown out noise from fireworks.

▪  Leave your dog with something to play with.

▪  Consider staying home with your dogs to insure they remain safe, especially if they have anxiety.

▪  If your dog is extremely anxious, consult with your vet about giving a mild sedative to help calm your dog.

This story was originally published July 1, 2017 at 6:50 PM with the headline "‘Gotcha Day’ adoption event sends 19 dogs and cats to their forever homes."