BAY CITY, MI -- The Bay County Animal Control's fourth Clear the Shelter event was a rousing success, seeing every dog and cat in its care find a new home.

Held Saturday, April 29, the event saw all 19 available animals adopted.

"We were shocked at how few animals we had," said agency Director Michael F. Halstead. "Overall, it was a great success."

Bay County Executive Jim Barcia agreed.

"Seeing all of these animals placed in good homes is very rewarding and couldn't have happened without the dedication of our excellent staff and volunteers," said Barica, who visited the shelter at 800 Livingston Ave. in Bay City.

Halstead added the 100 percent success was owed to "a good result of partnering" due to the shelter's newly established relationship with All About Animals Rescue, a nonprofit animal welfare organization working to stop pet homelessness. All About Animals partnered with Bay County in the spring to provide low- to no-cost sterilization services.

All About Animals picked up the dogs and cats on Thursday, April 27, to be sterilized at their facilities in Warren, and the animals were given rabies vaccinations if needed. The animals were returned to Bay County the next day.

In addition to the three dogs and nine cats at Bay County Animal Control, two dogs from the Midland County Humane Society participated in the event, as well as three dogs and two cats from the Humane Society of Bay County.

The Bay County Board of Commissioners approved waiving the standard $27 adoption fee. Each animal left for new homes with swag bags filled with treats and supplies.

"One of my main goals for Bay County is for the shelter to continue this transition to a no-kill facility," Barcia said. "This partnership with All About Animals, combined with the success of Saturday's event, brings us another step closer to that goal, and improving the quality of life for these animals.

"Many thanks to the hard-working volunteers who helped make this event possible," he continued. "We are always appreciative of those who dedicate their time to important causes, such as animal welfare in Bay County. This event would not have been successful without their perseverance to help these animals find good homes."

Debra Russell, administrative services director for Bay County, was at the event when the last dog was adopted by a family with young children.

"It was really sweet to see that dog so happy with his new family," she said. "They were out in the play area taking photos and getting to know each other, and the volunteers had put little bandanas on the dogs. They looked so cute."

Previous Clear the Shelter events took place on June 25, Sept. 10, and Oct. 22, but this was the first to achieve a 100 percent adoption rate.

"We expect to have another one in late summer," Halstead said. "We expect a much larger number of animals in our inventory then."