Still Time to Give a Shelter Pet a Home for the Holidays

It's the home stretch for the 's holiday pet adoption effort. The shelter's participation in the Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption campaign ends Jan. 7. 

Pet food company Iams has a goal to find homes for 1.5 million pets, according to Animal Control Officer Jessica Suto.

“With as many as 8 million homeless pets in the U.S., it is important everyone get involved to help save an orphaned animal this holiday season,” said Suto. “We’re proud to be a part of this amazing campaign and are dedicated to helping reach our pet adoption goal.”

Suto said that 40 pets have been adopted in Parsippany through the campaign so far. Iams is just over halfway to its goal, she added, with 808,218 dogs and cats around the world finding a new home to date.

As part of , all dogs, cats, puppies and kittens adopted by Jan. 7 will receive an Iams Adoption Kit, which includes tips for new pet owners. Suto said she and the staff are ready to pitch in to help as well.

Last year, the department adopted out more than 200 cats and 30 dogs. Now they need residents' help to place even more displaced animals with caring owners.

There are fees to adopt: For a dog, it's $60; the fee to adopt a cat is $35. The cost includes basic vaccinations and spaying or neutering. If you need to surrender a pet, the fee charged depends on the animal's weight: $25 for 25 pounds or less, $45 for animals 21-49 pounds, $65 for anything 50 pounds or more.

For information on how you can take part in the Home 4 the Holidays effort and bring home a new member of the family, contact Jessica Suto at 973-263-7083 or email her at parsippanyshelter@yahoo.com.

Parsippany Animal Control can be found at 1069 Parsippany Blvd. Adoption hours are Monday through Friday from 3-5 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. until noon.