Locals Take Home A Puppy Prize in Mega Match-A-Thon

By Jessica Flores

CREATED Mar. 31, 2012

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  • For the first time ever, the shelter offered pet lovers free pets. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals gave Riverside County a grant to fund the event, calling it the Mega Match-A-Thon. Video by kmir6.com

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THOUSAND PALMS- Every dog has it's day, and for dozens at the Coachella Valley Animal Shelter, Saturday afternoon was it. 

 

For the first time ever, the shelter offered pet lovers free pets. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals gave Riverside County a grant to fund the event, calling it the Mega Match-A-Thon.

 

"We are looking for a big guard dog, somebody that fits in with the family we already have," said  Lisa Bullum,  of La Quinta.

 

At the shelter, 167 other strays are just waiting to be adopted. During the event, 60 dogs were adopted.

 

"Some of them are never going to get homes and then your giving them a

loving home," said Phoebe Dehring of Indio.

 

Pets that don't find a loving home could face being put to sleep.

 

"It's just heart wrenching. It really is, and I wish I had a huge home because I would take most of those dogs,"  said Ana Maria Valenzuela, of Palm Desert. 

 

The animal shelter in nearby Indio has had to euthanize more pets than

the county average and things across shelters in the county could

get even worse in the next few months. It's high season. More puppies are born in the Spring.

 

"Everyday is a life or death situation for our pets…and this is a rare event

where we can smile," said Riverside County Animal Service Spokesperson John Welsh. 

 

Jessica Flores, KMIR6 News.