First Time In 50 Years That Animal Shelter Is Empty After 600 Dogs Get “Miraculously” Adopted

It’s a Christmas miracle! All dogs at an animal shelter have been adopted, leaving its staff rejoicing at the numerous empty cells.

Just two weeks ago, the Adams County, Pennsylvania, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in the USA barely had any kennels left for dogs needing a new home.

But in festive news, for the first time in nearly 50 years, the shelter doesn’t have any more dogs left as the four-legged residents are now busy spending the holidays with their new families.

In a post on Facebook published on Friday (December 22), Adams County SPCA said: “Today is a great day for the Adams County SPCA!”

Just two weeks ago, a shelter was almost at capacity, but it is now completely empty

First Time In 50 Years That Animal Shelter Is Empty After 600 Dogs Get “Miraculously” Adopted

Image credits: Adams County SPCA

“Two weeks ago our kennels were almost filled, now we don’t have any dogs in the building at all (we have 1 cat that came in as a stray a little bit ago)!!

“Our community stepped up once again! This is the first time in 47 YEARS that the Adams County SPCA is empty let alone at Christmas time, it is a true miracle!”

The Adams County SPCA shelter adopted out 598 animals, leaving the facility empty for the first time in nearly 50 years

First Time In 50 Years That Animal Shelter Is Empty After 600 Dogs Get “Miraculously” Adopted

Image credits: Adams County SPCA

“To say that we are beyond excited is an understatement! The staff and volunteers have worked VERY hard to take care of the animals in our care and to make sure they got adopted to the right home!

“This year we have adopted out 598 animals and reunited 125 strays with their owners! WOW! It has been a busy year!

“We thank everyone for their continued support and look forward to new adventures in 2024!”

“To say that we are beyond excited is an understatement! The staff and volunteers have worked VERY hard to take care of the animals,” the shelter said

First Time In 50 Years That Animal Shelter Is Empty After 600 Dogs Get “Miraculously” Adopted

Image credits: Adams County SPCA

“We will be pulling animals from other shelters in PA next week in hopes of relieving some of their stress. Right now, we are going to enjoy this accomplishment! Merry Christmas!”

Approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) said.

The facility will begin taking animals from other shelters “in hopes of relieving some of their stress”

First Time In 50 Years That Animal Shelter Is Empty After 600 Dogs Get “Miraculously” Adopted

Image credits: Adams County SPCA

Of those abandoned pets, approximately 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats.

“We estimate that the number of dogs and cats entering U.S. shelters annually has declined from approximately 7.2 million in 2011,” the ASPCA stated. “The biggest decline was in dogs (from 3.9 million to 3.1 million).”

“So glad they all got homes for the holiday,” a reader commented

First Time In 50 Years That Animal Shelter Is Empty After 600 Dogs Get “Miraculously” Adopted

I’m a journalist who works as Bored Panda’s News Team's Senior Writer. The news team produces stories focused on pop culture. Whenever I get the opportunity and the time, I investigate and produce my own exclusive stories, where I get to explore a wider range of topics. Some examples include: “Doberman Tobias the viral medical service dog” and “The lawyer who brought rare uterine cancer that affects 9/11 victims to light”. You've got a tip? email me: andrea.o@boredpanda.com

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As a visual editor in the News team, I look for the most interesting pictures and comments to make each post interesting and informative through images, so that you aren't reading only blocks of text. I joined Bored Panda not that long ago, but in this short amount of time I have covered a wide range of topics: from true crime to Taylor Swift memes (my search history is very questionable because of that).In my freetime, I enjoy spending time at the gym, gaming, binging Great British Bake Off and adding yet another tattoo artist that I would love to get a tattoo from to my pinterest board.

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What do you think ?

POST

WindySwede 10 months ago

I hope they will be well treated and have a foreverhome now, and not just returned after Christmas..

32points

Nitka Tsar 10 months ago

It‘s sad but this is exactly what I thought

23points

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sturmwesen 10 months ago

That's exactly why here shelters have an adoption ban for december.

10points

Beachbum 9 months ago

I doubt this would happen, they vetted the people adopting very well. Most of the time it is puppies going to the shelter, these were probably all full grown dogs.

1point

Jessica SpeLangm 10 months ago

Let's see what happens with these animals in a few months. If they're still in their forever home, I'll cheer and congratulate and be happy for their forever homes.

13points

Trish Panda 10 months ago

That's hiw I felt during covid when all the animals were getting adopted out

0points

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Libstak 10 months ago

That shelter will be full again with pets gifted for Christmas, then abandoned when the reality of caring for them becomes too much with all those with stars in their eyes before the holidays. Sorry to have to say that but it happens every year.

4points

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POST

WindySwede 10 months ago

I hope they will be well treated and have a foreverhome now, and not just returned after Christmas..

32points

Nitka Tsar 10 months ago

It‘s sad but this is exactly what I thought

23points

Load More Replies...

sturmwesen 10 months ago

That's exactly why here shelters have an adoption ban for december.

10points

Beachbum 9 months ago

I doubt this would happen, they vetted the people adopting very well. Most of the time it is puppies going to the shelter, these were probably all full grown dogs.

1point

Jessica SpeLangm 10 months ago

Let's see what happens with these animals in a few months. If they're still in their forever home, I'll cheer and congratulate and be happy for their forever homes.

13points

Trish Panda 10 months ago

That's hiw I felt during covid when all the animals were getting adopted out

0points

Load More Replies...

Libstak 10 months ago

4points

Load More Comments

First Time In 50 Years That Animal Shelter Is Empty After 600 Dogs Get “Miraculously” Adopted

Just two weeks ago, a shelter was almost at capacity, but it is now completely empty

The Adams County SPCA shelter adopted out 598 animals, leaving the facility empty for the first time in nearly 50 years

“To say that we are beyond excited is an understatement! The staff and volunteers have worked VERY hard to take care of the animals,” the shelter said

The facility will begin taking animals from other shelters “in hopes of relieving some of their stress”

“So glad they all got homes for the holiday,” a reader commented

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