July 17, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2014
For more information,
Contact: Natalie Lester
Moxley Carmichael
(865) 544-0088
Black dogs like James, a 7-month-old black Labrador retriever mix, are available for adoption at a reduced rate during the Back in Black adoption special. From Friday, July 18, to Sunday, July 20, adoption fees will be reduced for adult and senior black animals. Adult pets will be $25 and seniors, $10.
Black dogs and cats spend approximately four times as long on adoption floors in animal shelters, according to studies across the country. Currently, at Young-Williams Animal Center, there are more than 100 animals available for the adoption. Of those animals, 25 are black.
“Animal shelters and rescue groups continue to notice black animals spending more time in shelters than animals of other fur colors,” said Jeff Ashin, CEO of Young-Williams Animal Center. “This may be due to superstition of black cats or the sometimes negative portrayal of black dogs, but the animals are just as adoptable as other pets, and we have many animals at Young-Williams looking for their forever homes.”
Potential adopters often don’t notice the eyes and features of black dogs and cats because of the darker fur, Ashin noted. But a closer look will show adopters the beauty of these animals.
From Friday, July 18, to Sunday, July 20, adoption fees will be reduced for adult and senior black animals. Adult pets will be $25 and seniors, $10.
Every adopted animal will receive the services covered by the normal fees, which include a veterinary physical exam, spay/neuter surgery, some standard vaccinations, a microchip with registration and more. The adoption prices will be available at Young-Williams Animal Center at 3201 Division St., off Sutherland Drive, and the Young-Williams Animal Village at 6400 Kingston Pike on Bearden Hill.
The most humane and effective way to control the pet overpopulation of all animals – no matter their color – is through spay and neuter.
The Spay/Neuter Solutions Clinic at Young-Williams Animal Village also will offer a “Back in Black” special. From Friday, July 18, to Sunday, July 20, any owner of a black pet who schedules a spay/neuter surgery will receive a free microchip or rabies vaccine with the surgery service. Callers who contact the clinic after 6 p.m. on Friday will need to leave a message with their name, pet description and expressed interest in the special.
“Spaying and neutering saves lives,” Ashin said. “Fewer litters mean lower intake numbers, which increases space for animals and decreases the need for euthanasia.”
To learn more about Young-Williams Animal Center, visit www.young-williams.org or check out Young-Williams Animal Center on Facebook.
About Young-Williams Animal Center
Young-Williams Animal Center reminds the community to please spay and neuter your pets.
The Young-Williams Animal Center is the official animal shelter for Knox County and the City of Knoxville. The center is a nonprofit organization, community-supported through public and private donations, that turns no animal away and is dedicated to the sheltering and placement of animals, general animal welfare, and public education of companion animal issues.
Young-Williams Animal Center is located off Sutherland Avenue at the entrance to John Tarleton Park at 3201 Division St. Young-Williams Animal Village is located at 6400 Kingston Pike adjacent to Deane Hill Drive. Both locations are open seven days a week from noon-6 p.m.
For more information about Young-Williams Animal Center, including detailed driving directions, call 865-215-6599 or visit www.young-williams.org.
