Thanks to Social Media Rumor, Every Pet Adopted from San Bernardino Animal Shelter

After the City of San Bernardino animal shelter in Southern California announced last month that it would be closing, a rumor went viral on social media claiming that all 60 dogs and 40 cats would be euthanized.

But this wasn’t the case according to San Bernardino city officials, who planned to transfer the animals to another shelter in Riverside County. Earlier this week, the San Bernardino County board of supervisors decided to hold off on the relocation and allow time for local rescue groups to come up with plans to take over the shelter.

Apparently unaware of this development, hundreds of people showed up at the shelter during a free adoption event May 9. By mid-afternoon, every available dog and cat had found a new home.

Thank you!! All animals that were available for adoption found their furever homes today ??? there were still TONS of people waiting in line for animals after we had no more, so we’d like to encourage everyone to check out other local shelters! #adoptdontshop #fureverhome pic.twitter.com/aTpc9eFdBf

— San Bernardino PD (@SanBernardinoPD) May 9, 2019

It was love at first sight for one of the adopters, Elliott, whose previous pet died four years ago. A dog named Aubrey who caught his eye at the shelter “is such a loving dog. Rescue dogs are the best,” he told the San Bernardino Sun. “I took her into the play area and she ran up and tackled me and wouldn’t stop kissing me. That’s when I knew that was my girl.”

The San Bernardino shelter has been the target of animal welfare advocates due to poor management and decrepit living conditions. The city is closing the shelter because it can’t afford to make necessary major upgrades, such as installing air conditioning. 

Although free adoption events that give pets away with no vetting of their new owners do strike a lot of fear in my heart, here’s hoping every one of those dogs and cats is now in a loving forever home, thanks to what may have truly been fake news.