Adopt-a-thon comes to the Valley

McALLEN - Diamond the Labrador jumped high and got her front paws over the edge of her gold pen.

She kicked her back legs in the air and pulled her back half over and jumped onto the pavement outside the PetSmart on North 10th Street on Sunday afternoon.

A volunteer from Palm Valley Animal Center rushed over, grabbed Diamond and got her into a cage with a secured top.

With any luck, Diamond would soon find a better home.

Volunteers from Palm Valley Animal Center and about half a dozen other organizations from across the Rio Grande Valley participated in the annual Pet Adopt-a-Thon from Friday through Sunday at PetSmart. They set up shop at the two PetSmart locations in McAllen, and one in Harlingen.

Dozens of puppies, kittens and adult animals were featured at the event. Adult animals cost $85 and younger animals cost $105. The fee covered spaying or neutering, vaccinations, one month of health insurance and a microchip to identify the animals.

Organizers said finding homes for the animals was only half of their motiviation to hold the event.

Volunteers also sought to educate the public about pet care, said Tisha Bruberg, an animal adoption counselor with Palm Valley Animal Center. She described some common misconceptions about dog and cat care.

Many people scoff at the idea of spaying or neutering animals. Bruberg said people sometimes request to get the dogs without the operation.

The animals, however, benefit from this procedure, she said. Spaying or neutering an animal gives them a healthier life free of the risks of ovarian or testicular cancers. It also reduces the level of hormones in the animals' bodies, making them more comfortable and relaxed, she said.

Many people also scoff at the idea of adopting a mixed-breed dog, but Bruberg said unless someone wishes to show an animal in serious competition, being a purebred makes little difference.

Nicki Nicotra - who volunteers with animal rescue operations across the Valley and whose family showed canines while she was growing up - pointed out that mutts often even outlive pure-bred animals.

Pure-bred or not, if they find the right home, they will live happy lives.

Gloria Estrada has adopted 25 dogs in recent years, keeping six at her home and 19 at her ranch near the intersection of Mile 7 and Shary Road.

"It's really good for you, because it keeps you healthy," Estrada said, holding a 2-year-old Sheltie Shepard named Dandelion. The leashed dog also pulled her around the store. "It keeps you healthy, because dogs make you walk."

The volunteers said they hope many people like Estrada adopt rescued animals. Possible owners, however, must first go through a screening process to ensure they are qualified for animal care, Nicotra said.

"We've already rescued the dogs once," she said. "We don't want to have to rescue them again."

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Zack Quaintance covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4447.

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To learn more about adopting a dog or cat, visit Palm Valley Animal Center at www.palmvalleyanimalcenter.org