Warning: You may already have one at home.
But if you see the Humane Society’s new mobile adoption center out and about, you may just be tempted to take home a few more pets to call your own.
The Humane Society of Summit County (HSSC) was recently gifted a 27-foot vehicle by the Remen Family Foundation to bring its adoptable pets more exposure in the county.
Adoption counselors and volunteers with HSSC, which takes in abused and neglected animals in the county, have traveled with the mobile center nearly every weekend since the end of April, going everywhere from corporate offices to community events to provide on-site adoption and animal welfare education.
“We needed something to get out into the community,” said Diane Johnson, president and CEO of the Humane Society.
The center made its latest stop at the PetSmart in Macedonia on Sunday, where many folks walking out of the pet supplies store couldn’t resist stopping by to check out the animals.
“Anytime I see any kind of pets I have to go see them,” said Debbie Danko of Sagamore Hills, who was one of a couple hundred who filtered in and out of the center during its two hours in the PetSmart parking lot.
Full-grown cats, kittens and even ferrets stretched out in their temperature-controlled cages and peered out of the windows at the faces of potential new owners.
Waiting for a new home in the adoption unit could take awhile, but it’s certainly not uncomfortable. Along with air conditioning and heat, the vehicle also has a working refrigerator and sink, Wi-Fi, a generator, a retractable awning, cages with individual lights and a vacuum to keep it all clean.
The vehicle can hold a maximum of 28 animals, but Katlyn Grayson, the mobile adoption center event coordinator, said it usually isn’t filled to capacity so that pets have more room. Each animal’s behavior is assessed before it goes into the unit to determine which would be most comfortable.
“We like to get as many different animals as we can,” Grayson said. “They’re quite content.”
Grayson said the mobile adoption center has led to more than 10 adoptions since it started touring at the end of April. On Sunday alone, people showed interest in two of the cats and said they’d be back to the shelter to pick them up.
More often than not, those who stop by simply admire the animals and wish they had a little more space to take one home.
Every once in a while, though, the mobile adoption center may just be in the right place at the right time for someone looking to adopt.
On Sunday, Gina McNamara of Northfield Center eyeballed Costello, a big, talkative orange cat who she thought could make a good match for her sister.
“She wants a cat who really needs a home,” McNamara said. “This is a really good idea. I hope they adopt lots of animals.”
Diamond, a 10-year-old pit bull mix who sat outside with the volunteers, didn’t get a new home Sunday, but she did get a few bags of treats and several brand-new chew toys that people donated throughout the day.
No worries, Diamond — there’s always next weekend.
For a full list of upcoming locations, visit summithumane.org.
Theresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216 or tcottom@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @Theresa_Cottom .