Animal shelter finds home for every pet in its care

Mary Bowerman | USA TODAY Network

Ninety-three animals were adopted within 90 minutes at an adopt-a-thon Saturday in Akron, Ohio.

It was the first time the halls of the Summit County Animal Control Center weren’t echoing with noises from cats and dogs.

“It was insane," said Christine Fatheree, the director of the center. "There are always 20 or so animals left over from adopt-a-thons, but the place was completely empty."

Fatheree told USA TODAY Network that an anonymous couple donated $500 to the center two days before the sixth annual adopt-a-thon, so the first 50 adoptions were free.

She said several of the people who adopted pets cried when they learned the adoption was free.

“We didn’t advertise that the first 50 pets were free because we didn’t want people running down here without thinking about what adoption means,” she said. “This is a living being you have to take care of.”

Several of the cats had been with the shelter since June and Fatheree said they felt like the animals would never find a home.

“It’s always frustrating with the cats because people don’t want to adopt a cat when they can get one for free on a corner,” she said.

She said even several shy cats that refused to come out of their litter boxes were adopted.

“I don’t know if social media got the word out, but we have never had an event like this,” she said. “It was overwhelming.”

Follow @MaryBowerman on Twitter.