Riverside Humane Society Reaches Milestone in 110-Year History with 1000th Pet Adoption for 2007

The Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center, Riverside, CA, on December 19 reached a major milestone in its 110-year history when Michelle, a gray and white, one-year-old cat became the 1000th pet adopted in 2007.

Danae Samson of Riverside adopted Michelle, an Oriental shorthair mix, who during the summer had been found abandoned with her three kittens in the Pet Adoption Center’s parking lot. In recognition of the momentous event, the Riverside Humane Society waived the adoption fee and presented Samson with a gift basket.

The 1000 figure crushes the 640 adoptions in 2006, which at that time set an all-time record for any one year in the organization’s history. Aimee Hoesman, an adoption counselor with the society, attributes the rapid rise in adoptions the past two years to increased public awareness of the Riverside Humane Society through local media coverage, special events, and the Internet, particularly the society’s web site and the Petfinder site. She noted that word of mouth and repeat adopters are factors, as well.

“We are just ecstatic to be setting this kind of a precedent even before we’re in the new facility,” says Cathy Walling, executive director. “To have reached this benchmark number given our small staff and current facility is certainly beyond my wildest expectations. I am so proud of the marvelous staff here who need to be recognized for their remarkable efforts this past year in placing so many animals in new loving homes.”

The Pet Adoption Center also reached a landmark in rescues during 2007. While the countdown to the 1000th adoption was taking place, the center took in a female Chihuahua mix which became the 1000th rescue of the year.

The Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit public benefit charitable organization. The center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from area animal-control shelters. No healthy, adoptable animal is ever put to sleep. Prior to adoption, each animal is either spayed or neutered and microchipped, receives all necessary vaccinations and medical care, and is socialized. For more information, call 951-688-4340 or visit www.petsadoption.org.