My Furry Valentine 2018

adoption made adorable Find your new best friend at My Furry Valentine.

Here are all the details about the pet adoption event of the year.

Will you be that 1 in 5?

OUR STORY

Each year, 7.3 million animals enter shelters nationwide, patiently, hopefully, waiting to catch the eye of one of the 12 million families who will bring a new pet into their home.

But many Americans still get their pets from places other than rescues and shelters, and so an estimated 3-4 million animals die in shelters every year. In fact, euthanasia is the leading cause of untimely death for healthy dogs and cats in our country.

If just 1 out of every 5 people bringing an animal into their family were to adopt from a shelter or rescue, the Humane Society of the United States estimates that not one single healthy dog or cat would lose his or her life in a shelter.

Will you be that 1 in 5?

M

y Furry Valentine provides a forum for bringing together animals in need of a home with people willing to give them one. Since our inception in 2012, we have helped facilitate the adoption of nearly 4,000 animals from reputable animal shelters and rescues, and our Cincinnati event has grown to become one of the largest animal adoption events in the country!

This year’s event will be our largest one yet, with 40 participating organizations bringing more than 800 adoptable animals under one roof.

The need for pet adoption is great here in Cincinnati and nationwide. Every day, an average of 9,000 cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters across the United States. With every adoption, every foster, every spay and neuter, and every donation to an animal rescue cause, we are one step closer to a day when there is no more shelter euthanasia, and no longer a need for a mega pet adoption. But until that day comes, we at My Furry Valentine are committed to our efforts to educate our community on the importance of animal adoption, provide resources to

help adopters in their efforts to find their new furry family member, and to offer the opportunity in a fun, festive, family-friendly environment, for you to find your new best friend.

When you make the decision to adopt an animal, you are saving two lives — the life of the animal you adopt and the life of the animal that takes its place at a shelter or rescue.

That’s pretty rewarding, and a goal everyone can support.

Come join us this weekend!

To find out more about My Furry Valentine, please visit www.myfurryvalentine.com.

More than 40 shelters and rescue groups participating and over 800 adoptable animals under one roof.

TH ANNUAL

MEGA PET ADOPTION EVENT

Companion animals of all shapes, ages, sizes, breeds and dispositions. You’re sure to find your perfect match at My Furry Valentine.

Saturday, February 10th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.* Sunday, February 11th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. where Sharonville Convention Center

cost General Admission: $5/person, ages 5+

All animals spayed/ neutered and up-to-date on vaccinations!

for more information visit

myfurryvalentine.com

*Early Bird Entry allows access to animals in advance of the crowds. Vendor room open all day, both days.

Special cat & kitten subsidy program means that most cats will be available for same-day adoptions at a fee of only $25.

Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Early Bird Admission: $25/person $5 for kids 18 and under Admission Is Limited

Tickets available online or at the door.

Free swag bag for every adopted animal!

OFFICIAL

Checklist for new adopters Before the Event

Day of Event

Determine if you can afford and have time to take care of a pet and make sure that all family members are in agreement

Bring photo ID

Think through the kind of companion you want (small or large, active or couch potato, etc.)

Bring your veterinarian’s contact information if you’re already a pet parent

Browse our online pet gallery ( myfurryvalentine.com) to begin your search

Bring proof that you can have a pet if you rent (e.g., copy of lease agreement or letter from landlord)

Read up on organizations you’re considering adopting from to understand their application process and requirements

Do NOT bring your own animals.

Follow-up meet & greets will be arranged if necessary

Purchase basic supplies and ensure your home (and family!) is prepared for a pet Consider submitting an application in advance to help facilitate an adoption during the event

Notes:

Be prepared to cover adoption costs, which vary by group

Have an open mind – the Valentine you take home might be different than the one you envisioned Be patient – finding the perfect match takes time!

After the Event Be careful when transporting your new animal home, paying particular attention when entering/ exiting a vehicle and with open doors in their new surroundings Set your pet up with the shelter, food and toys it needs to be comfortable in your home Pet-proof the space your new pet will be spending his time Give your new companion time and training to adjust to their new surroundings

Adoption 101 What is the difference between buying an animal and adopting?

If you’re considering getting a new pet, we urge you to adopt instead of buying a pet from an online retailer, pet store or backyard breeder. Note that many pet stores work with local shelters and rescue groups and have dogs and cats for adoption, while others still sell animals sourced through commercial breeding facilities, (aka: puppy mills). Please be sure you recognize the difference. By adopting from an animal shelter or rescue group, you are ensuring that you are not supporting and endorsing the inhumane puppy mills that supply pet stores and sell pets online. As an extra bonus, you are doing your part to fight pet overpopulation and save homeless animals from euthanasia.

Why do animals end up in shelters?

There is a common misperception there is something inherently wrong with shelter animals. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Animals in shelters lose their homes for a variety of reasons, usually having nothing to do with their behavior or temperament, but more due to the fact that their owners are unable to keep them for reasons including the novelty of owning a pet wears off, allergies, death of a guardian, a new baby, divorce, loss of a job, a move, change in work schedule, and other lifestyle changes. .

What’s the difference between adoption and buying?

Buying a pet can easily cost $500 - $1,500, while adoption costs generally range from $50 - $250. At MFV, adopted pets have been fully vaccinated and their adoption fee includes spaying or neutering, and in many cases, microchipping.

How can i be sure to get the animal i want?

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the shelters and rescues that will be attending MFV, and determine which best fit your needs. Visit our online pet gallery at MyFurryValentine.com, (that already hosts 500+ adoptable pet profiles). If there are certain animals or groups that stand out to you, consider completing and submitting an application in advance for pre-approval. In some cases, you can even be pre-approved to adopt from a group without applying for a specific animal.

Is it hard to adopt? why do they ask so many questions?

You’ll find that the application process and requirements for adoption vary from group to group. Please keep in mind that while shelters and rescues want to find homes for as many animals as possible, they also want to ensure that the animals find a lasting home. Maybe your future companion needs lots of space, requires a lot of exercise, prefers to share their home with other furry friends or needs to be an only pet. The only way to make the perfect match for you and the animal is to ask lots of questions.

What if I don’t meet the application requirements?

At My Furry Valentine, we honor each individual groups’ standard adoption protocols as we believe they know what works best for their population of animals. If you find that you don’t or can’t meet a specific requirement (like a fenced-in yard or a mandatory meet & greet with your existing pet). Remember that there are 40 other groups there ready to help you. There will never be a better opportunity for you to find your new best friend!

What if i’m looking for something specific?

You can find animals of all breeds, shapes, sizes and ages available for adoption. Nationwide, it is estimated that as many as 25% of dogs and many cats in animal shelters are purebreds.

Why would i adopt an older animal?

When you adopt an older pet, you avoid some of the challenges inherent in bringing home a puppy or kitten. Their appearance, behavior and health are already established so there are no surprises. Older animals at shelters need homes just as much as younger ones, and since many people are quick to adopt young animals, adopting an older animal may save its life.

Aren’t there benefits to getting dogs from breeders because you know the animal’s bloodline and family history?

“First know that, as a result of their breeding, purebred dogs very often have genetic disorders and medical issue predispositions, certainly no less often than shelter dogs. Puppies born in puppy mills are usually removed from their mothers at just six weeks of age, denying them critical socialization, and housed in overcrowded and unsanitary wirefloored cages, without adequate veterinary care, food or water. Make no mistake: anything purchased at a pet store that sells animals—even supplies—is keeping this vicious industry in business.

Good breeders are focused not on profit, but on the health and welfare of the individual animals they handle, and we applaud that. But the plain truth is you’re helping to save and protect more lives if you make adoption your first option, so please match your open home and open heart with an open mind.”* *ASPCA

Visit

myfurryvalentine.com to learn more about adoption

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE. AND A LITTER BOX. Just like spay/neuter, adoption is key to creating a no-kill cat nation. Visit GiveThemTen.org.

1-844-GIVE TEN

MY FURRY VALENTINE

™

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Partners: Barefoot Proximity CityBeat Mix 94.1 Wordsworth Communications Shelters and Rescue Groups: Adams County Humane Society Adore-A-Bull Rescue Animal Adoption Foundation Animal Care Alliance Animal Friends Humane Society Ashland Animal Rescue Fund Barely Used Pets Brown County Humane Society Buckeye Bulldog Rescue Cincinnati Pit Crew Clermont to the Rescue Humane Society Franklin County Humane Society His Eye Is on the Sparrow Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART) Helen’s Bully Haven Joseph’s Legacy League for Animal Welfare Liberty Acres United Rescue Animal Sanctuary Little Victories No Kill Animal Rescue

Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue Lucky Tales Rescue Ohio Alleycat Resource & Spay/Neuter Clinic Owen County Friends of Animals Petlovers, Inc. Pittie Paw Rescue Purrfect Friends Cat Rescue Racing to Retirement Greyhound Adoptions Race Place Retired Greyhound Adoption Recycled Doggies Robyn’s Nest Save the Animals Foundation (STAF) Schnauzer Rescue Cincinnati SPCA Cincinnati Stray Haven Sweet Dream House Rescue Tails of Hope Animal Rescue The Paws Cause Rescue Vendors: Angels Watch Animal Ark Pet Resort Animal Care Centers Bath Creations Bath Fitter Bentley’s Pet Stuff

Bulletproof Dog Training Camp Bow Wow Canines for Christ of Greater Cincinnati Care Center Animal Blood Bank Clermont County Humane Society County Animal Hospital Deb Marvin Art Dog Country Daycare and Boarding Dog N Frog Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Pet Foods Earthwise Pet Evendale-Blue Ash Pet Hospital Flying Pig Marathon Fureverhome Invisible Fence Brand of Cincinnati MaiRo & Co - Dog Treat Bakery MedVet Medical & Cancer Center for Pets Mr. Roof My Gorilla Garage National Canine Cancer Foundation Nature Nurses Wildlife Rescue Norma’s Yard Art Off Leash K9 Training Ohio Police K9 Memorial Parson’s Construction Group Petco Foundation

Pet Stop of Cincinnati Pet Supplies Plus Pet Valu PetPeople Pets in Need of Greater Cincinnati phoDOGrapher Pet Photography Project Blue Collar Raise the Bar Dog Training Red Dog Pet Resort and Spa Rescued and Ready - Operation: Walking with Warriors Stop Puppy Mills Ohio Suite Paws Pet Resort and Spa Tailwaggers Doggy Daycare The BrewHaus Bakery Company The Fetchington Luxury Pet Resort and Daycare The Gutter Shutter Co. The Owens Group The Pet Spot Top Golf United Pet Fund West Chester Pet Resort and Spa Whisk & Wag Whisper Pet

LUXURY PET HOTEL AND DAYCARE

8825 Cincinnati Dayton Rd | West Chester, OH 45069 For Info: (513) 847-8191 | Fetchington.com