‘Clear the Shelters’ event boosts adoption rates in Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — 17 News is partnering with the Bakersfield Animal Care Center to clear the shelters.

The annual month-long event began Aug. 10 and has already upped adoptions, animal advocates say.

“During ‘Clear the Shelters’, over 300 hundred dogs will be available for adoption,” said Jenny Huh. “Volunteers say Jesse is the sweetest, most mellow, dog-friendly, kid-friendly and treat-loving dog who’ll roll over for tummy rubs all day.”

The shelter has seen an uptick in adoptions, according to organizers.

“Adoptions are up, especially for dogs,” said Nick Cullen, Director of Kern County Animal Services. “I think a lot of that has to do with ‘Clear the Shelters’ event.”

While animal advocates say we’re headed towards the right direction, they recognize the severity of the current situation.

“The situation is still dire,” said Director of Bakersfield Animal Care Center, Matthew Buck. “We still need all the help we can get.”

Buck says the center has up to 350 or so animals in their care, including 100 or so cats right now.

“Yearly, we save about 10,000 animals and we put down about 2,500,” said Cullen.

Buck says they’ve had about 1,000 fewer dogs than last year. They’re getting up to 200 dogs weekly and euthanizing about 50.

“So, we’re still having to euthanize a lot more dogs than we would like to,” said Buck. “The dog crisis, they say, started with the pandemic when animals couldn’t get fixed. You have one unfixed male, and one unfixed female, in one year that one pair can have up to 16 dogs.”

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Buck also says it’s extra risky in warm places like Bakersfield, since animals can have multiple heat cycles. Advocates encourage future pet parents to focus on personality, not so much the breed.

Take this Alaskan Husky, which 17 News named Anchorage. Volunteers say Anchorage is the perfect family dog, but can be tirelessly energetic.

“Shepherds are number one on our list right now. Pitbulls are the number one dog found in all shelters throughout the U.S., and I don’t know why Bakersfield has a husky problem, but Bakersfield has a husky problem,” said Buck.

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