CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Nueces County Animal Control has cleared its shelters for the first time in almost a dozen years.
Action 10 News usually reports on animal shelters because they are at capacity.
But this time we want to show the public what an empty shelter looks like, and that it's possible.
Thanks to the hard work from volunteers, rescuers and people like you.
Nueces County Animal Control Manager Juan Ramirez said it's not very often their kennels are empty.
"In 13 years that I have been here we've never had that many animals adopted or rescued," he said.
He credits the hard work on behalf of the volunteers like Lisa Bockholt.
"We did a three-day event and it was very, very successful," Bockholt said. "We had 18 of the animals that were actually rescued by our rescue partner, we had nine adoptions and then we had several others that were reclaimed by their owners."
She said the shelter has never held a "Home for the Holidays" adoption event. She said reducing the adoption cost and extending the event for three days was helpful.
Bockholt said the kennel can hold 60 animals when it is full.
"The kennels can accommodate 60, but then that makes them over capacity," she said. "So, it is usually the 30-40 range -- is comfortable and we had 40 prior to the event."
As of right now they have two dogs that just became available and can be adopted on Thursday, Dec. 26 when the shelter reopens after the holidays.
The first dog is a friendly black and white pit-mix pup. He did not have tags or a chip.
"He seems to be very friendly," Ramirez said. "He was out there running loose with other dogs."
The other dog is a a female, blonde Lab that was surrendered by her owner. She weighs 95 pounds and does not get a long with small dogs.
"Not sure on the age, but she is an older dog," Ramirez said.
They have a Blue Heeler and a Boxer that will become available next week if they are not picked up buy their owners.
"All they have to do is come into the facility," Ramirez said. "There is an adoption fee. Last week we had a reduced adoption fee of $25. That includes the $10 vaccination and we can do it this week too."
Bockholt said the important thing to remember is that pets are a lifetime commitment.
"We encourage people not to adopt right before the holidays -- if -- they haven't given some serious thought to pet ownership," Bockholt said.
Nueces County Animal Control will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday for Christmas. They will reopen from 8 a .m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26. They are closed from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch. They are located at 4540 FM 892 in Robstown. This location is the county-operated facility and is not associated with the shelter operated by the city of Corpus Christi.
Ramirez said he hopes that during the holidays people will keep their pets safe, so they don't see their kennels fill back up again.