‘Blind date with a pet’ program begins at Butler County Humane Society
Those looking for a surprise match have a chance to meet their new best friend through the “Luv Is Blind” program at the Butler County Humane Society.
The new social media campaign, which started at the beginning of July on Facebook, lists “dating profiles” for six anonymous shelter animals — three dogs and three cats — and encourages potential adopters to make an appointment for a “blind date.” If they end up liking the pet and choosing to adopt, the adoption fees will be waived.
“If they make an appointment to meet one of these ‘blind’ animals, and if it goes through and their application is approved, then it will be a free adoption,” said Alicia Terek, who is the volunteer, marketing and events coordinator at the humane society.
Typically, adoptions at the Humane Society come with fees, ranging from $50 to $100 for cats and $65 to $250 for dogs. In recent months, the shelter has started a new program that cuts adoption fees in half for “long-term” animals that have been in the Humane Society’s care for more than 90 days.
The idea for the program came up near the end of June, Terek said, and the shelter quickly put the posts together.
The dating profiles include details about the eligible pets, framed in the style of a dating profile. The page for "Dog Bachelorette #1,” for example, specifies that "People love to compliment me on how great of a kisser I am and tend to consider me an outgoing, spontaneous dog,” and that her dislikes are “Cats” and “Missing out on life.”
“It goes over their personality type and if they can't go home with other animals, but it’s kind of said in a quirky way,” Terek explained.
While adoption numbers have stayed relatively the same, the shelter has more animals available for adoption than before the pandemic, Terek said.
“I would say our adoptions aren't down, but we definitely have more animals that are trying to find homes,” she said. “With COVID and the pandemic, our foster program grew tremendously, which helped us intake more animals.”
The adoption process requires an application, which is approved by the shelter’s kennel director. After meeting a pet, prospective adopters fill out an application and list references for the shelter to call, and provide proof that animals are allowed in their home or apartment. Adopters must be at least age 21 with a valid photo ID, or at least age 18 with a co-signer who is over age 21.
“We also ask questions in regards to your previous animals, and what you are looking for in an animal, as well,” Terek said.
As of Wednesday, one of the cats had been adopted.
The Butler County Humane Society is currently open on an appointment-only basis, from Wednesday to Sunday. Those interested in meeting a “blind date” pet can check the shelter’s Facebook page or call 724-789-1150.
