Officials at Seminole County Animal Services have all the animals they can handle these days, and they believe returns from gifted animals are at least partially to blame. 

  • Seminole County Animal Services seeing more adopted pets returned
  • Also seeing fewer animals being adopted out
  • Adoption event Saturday at Mastro Subaru

The shelter has seen a lot of returned pets since the first of the year.

“I think people are excited about getting a pet, and then they go back to work or school and realize it is a big responsibility,” said Diane Gagliano, program coordinator at Seminole County Animal Services.

Justin Farmer knows his 13-year-old pit bull Dixie won’t live forever. But he came to the shelter to find her a companion.

“She’s getting older, she likes other dogs, and we want to give her a companion to play with,” said Farmer.

And on Friday, Farmer found another pit bull that looks just like Dixie. He adopted him, and plans on making the dog a permanent part of his family.

“It’s all about love,” said Farmer.

But unfortunately, many adoptions aren’t always forever.

Shelter officials say they’re linked with the county’s animal control effort, so unlike other animal shelters that can be picky and choosey with which animals they take in, they’re required to take in all animals.

And right now, the shelter has plenty of animals – especially dogs.

“As soon as we adopt out one, we might get two dogs or cats in,” said Gagliano.

The shelter has offered adoption sales. They have another on Saturday. But at the last one earlier this month, they had trouble making much headway.

“I believe we adopted out close to 30 animals, but then we took in close to 30 animals, so it was a bit of a wash,” said Gagliano.

The shelter has seen some dogs come back three and four times. That’s why they love seeing people like Farmer come in, who can promise a forever home.

“We decided to come here because we’re saving a dog’s life,” said Farmer.

Seminole County Animal Services frequently holds adoption specials.  The one this Saturday, February 18, is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mastro Subaru in Sanford. 

Customers adopting any dog or cat from the Subaru event will have half of their adoption fee paid for by Mastro Subaru.

Animals up for adoption can be found online through Seminole County's page on Petfinder and there’s more information at TEARS of Seminole County's website.