'Pet Adoption Day'

Kennett Police Chief Barry Tate, right, pets a puppy who was up for adoption at the "Pet Adoption Day" at Doggie Do's Grooming on Saturday, June 27. Also pictured is Doggie Do's Grooming owner Lora Tate. Staff photo by George Anderson

Several animals from the Kennett pound were up for adoption at an "Adopt-a-Pet" event at Doggie Do's Grooming on Saturday, June 27.

The event, coordinated by Kennett Humane Officer Tina Petix and Doggie Do's owner Lora Tate, was held from 10 a.m., to early afternoon, as animal lovers from around the area gathered to pick their new pets.

According to Petix, by the time the event was over, nearly 20 "pound puppies" found new homes, with only two from the group remaining -- a boxer bulldog and an Australian shepherd. Several cats were also up for adoption, however, no cats were adopted out.

We had several kittens, maybe 10 kittens," Tate said. "Lots of momma cats. Some of the cats are spoken for."

Following the event, Petix said several interested individuals offered to board some of the cats.

"We have had a lot of people, since I guess they see we are trying to save the animals, that have volunteered to take them in and house them," Petix said.

Petix said several of the new "puppy parents" were people from outside of Kennett.

"We had a lot from Hornersville, [Mo.]; Campbell, [Mo.]; and all around," Petix said.

Petix said she believes the event went very well, and is going to try to continue the events as needed.

"I think [the event] went very well," Tate added. "We had a lot of turnout. We had lots of puppies, and luckily they were adopted before they had to go to the adoption day [event].

"I was pleased with the turnout we had and the number of animals we found homes for. I think it went real well."

Although this was the first event of its kind, both Petix and Tate said they plan to continue the effort.

"This was our first [event]," Tate said. "I think we are going to try to do it every month and a half, or if the need comes up and we have a lot of dogs, maybe before then. This is something that we want to continue as the dogs add up."

Several volunteers assisted Petix and Tate at the event, including Kennett Police Chief Barry Tate, KenMo Veterinary Clinic workers Jade Anderson and Meagan Petix, Alan Campbell of the Kennett Police Department, Tiffany Petix, and Levi Petix.

Anyone wanting to donate food for the animals at the pound can contact Petix at the Kennett Police Department at (573) 888-4622.