The American River College Club and Events Board will host the Pet-Palooza, an online pet adoption event on April 29 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will showcase its adoptable dogs to students.

“We hope this event will be therapeutic and give some of that sense of community that was present at the in-person ARC events,” said Associated Student Body President Naomi Dasari.

According to Marnie Musser, the community outreach manager for the SSPCA, adoptions have increased during this pandemic. Dogs, cats and small animals have all seen faster adoption rates.

“I think the combination of people working from home, having the time to introduce a new pet to the family and also being isolated has been a silver lining for us,” Musser said.

The pandemic has changed the adoption process. According to Musser, all services are now by appointment only, including meeting a potential new pet.

“Before the pandemic, the general public could come to the adoption center during open hours and walk around to see all the animals available,” Musser said. “Now they come in to see a specific animal at a specific time and are not able to walk around the dog, cat and small animal areas.”

The SSPCA has utilized mobile adoption events during this pandemic in lieu of in-person events. According to Musser, these events have been successful at getting the information about the SSPCA out to the public.

The SSPCA provides more services than adopting animals out. They also have low-cost services such as vaccine and spay and neuter clinics and low-cost end of life services.

To find the Pet-Palooza Zoom meeting, click here.