Bring Home a New Pet for Just $10 this Month

One thousand adoptions by New Year's Eve - that's the goal (HSSV) and several partnering shelters have set this month as part of the We Care Project.

Can't think of the perfect gift for the kids for Christmas? How about a new dog, cat or rabbit?

Beginning this Friday, Dec. 9, HSSV and its partners - Santa Clara County Animal Shelter, City of Palo Alto Animal Services, Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority, City of San Jose Animal Care and Services, and Town Cats - have slashed their usual adoption fees by a considerable amount, setting them at just $10 through New Year's Eve.

"These animals need 'forever' homes," said Jennifer Simonsen in public relations at HSSV.

Simonsen added, the holidays are a great time to introduce a new pet to the family, because many members take time off from work, school and other commitments and tend to spend more time at home.

"[It's a great] time to acclimate your new pet and take pet care classes while your kids are out of school," she explained.

Families have little to worry about when adopting a pet from HSSV.

"All dogs and cats at Humane Society Silicon Valley have had personalized medical [such as] vaccines and spay/neuter services, and behavioral care, so they are ready to be adopted now," she described. "Many of these rescued animals come to us as puppies or kittens and Humane Society Silicon Valley volunteers have bottle-fed, held, nurtured and trained them so they are ready to transition to a 'forever' home."

HSSV also offers tips to animal adopters for how to acclimate pets to a new home environment, and serves as a community center where people can connect and share experiences with their animals and each other.  

"After the holiday, take a behavioral training class with your kids, meet with an animal socializer, and play in the dog park," Simonsen suggested. "There is so much to do!"

HSSV is located at 901 Ames Ave. in Milpitas. HSSV also has satellite adoption centers at the PETCO stores at 500 El Paseo de Saratoga in San Jose and 160 E. El Camino Real in Sunnyvale.

For more information, visit www.hssv.org or call 408-262-2133.