Paris celebrates National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week

PARIS, Tenn. — This week is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, and one local shelter celebrated in a special way.

“Today [Thursday] from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., we’re waiving all fees on animals and any adoptions on dogs and cats,” Paris Animal Control Officer Mark Mead said.

As the city recognized their local shelter and staff, people were able to come by and visit the animals, donate food and adopt.

“The shelters are depended upon to take those dogs and cats in and try to find homes for them, so the shelters do a very important and a very big job,” supporter Judy Hooper said.

While it is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, there are plenty of animal shelters all across West Tennessee with the furry friends waiting to be adopted.

“Super, super clean — they’ve got a bunch of great people working here,” Ray Hooper said. “They have a genuine love for the animals.”

City officials said that many people don’t know about the shelter, and they hope events like Thursday’s celebration will encourage more to come out and adopt.

“All they want to do is be petted and stuff and just want somebody to love them,” Mead said.

The shelter raised more than 250 pounds of food Thursday. If you missed the celebration, you can still donate dog and cat food as well as cleaning supplies.