Animal Services reaches K-9 capacity, waiving all adoption fees in April

Jim Sweet, the director of the Marion County Animal Center, spends some time with Johnny, one of the numerous adoptable dogs at the Marion County Animal Center off Southeast Baseline Road in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. The no-kill shelter is currently over its capacity with over 200 dogs and numerous cats and is asking people to come in and adopt a pet and give it a good home for the holidays. Part of the reason that the Animal Center is so full is because of the 37 dogs that were seized in an animal cruelty case on Thursday afternoon. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

Marion County Animal Services is waiving all adoption fees for the month of April, according to officials. The facility has reached capacity.

“We want to provide the opportunity for Marion County citizens to come to our facility and add a best friend to their family,” said Animal Services Director Jim Sweet. “Right now, we have over 130 dogs available for adoption, and we want to encourage everyone to consider creating forever homes for these great dogs that just need a chance for a better life.”

Though the shelter is looking to improve in the near future, county officials indicated that Marion County is dependent on its citizens to help adopt and provide homes for abandoned animals.

Each adoptable pet is spayed or neutered, updated on all vaccinations and micro-chipped with all owner information, according to the press release.

If adoption is not an option, donations are also accepted. Donate in person or online at MarionFl.org/Animal. Mail donations can be addressed to Marion County Animal Services, 5701 S.E. 66th St., Ocala, FL. 34480.

For more information, call (352) 671-8700.