Twenty-six of 29 dogs and 22 of 74 cats were adopted last weekend during the Lowndes County Animal Services Clear the Shelter event.

People lined up Saturday afternoon outside of the shelter, 337 Gil Harbin Industrial Boulevard, to get their pick of the litter during the third annual event.

Linda Patelski, LCAS director, said adoptions during the event were free. Adopting a dog typically costs $125 and cats cost $55, which is 50 percent less than previous adoptions.

The event is held in August because it is one of the busiest months for the shelter.

“The shelters are flooded with animals and it makes it hard to get them adopted because school is coming back and people are coming off of vacation,” she said.

Patelski said people looking to adopt have their driver’s licenses photographed and information taken to prevent pets from being bought and sold for nefarious reasons.

All the animals at the shelter are microchipped. If the animal shows up in a place that is inappropriate, she said they can charge the person who adopted the animal with a crime.

“But usually these are families coming here to adopt,” Patelski said. “If we get a bad vibe about somebody coming in, you can usually tell if their intentions are not good and we won’t hand the animal over to them.”

The shelter is always seeking homes for animals that have been abandoned, cannot move with their families and for other reasons.

Most weeks, typically each Friday, The Valdosta Daily Times features two animals, usually a dog and a cat, needing homes at the shelter. Susan J, Eischeid, a Valdosta State University music professor, volunteers at the shelter and sends the photos and information weekly to The Times.

Her work has led to numerous dogs and cats being adopted.

Pet ownership is a serious matter and should not entered lightly. Owning a pet is an investment of money, time and affection.

It is good to adopt an animal from the shelter but a person should be certain they are ready to have a pet … lest they have to return the animal to the shelter.

For anyone interested in adopting a pet from the shelter, visit the shelter at 337 Gil Harbin Industrial Boulevard, from noon-4 p.m. Monday and Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.