Everyone wants to be home for the holidays – especially shelter dogs and cats.

Oakdale Shelter Pet Alliance (OSPA) has teamed up with the Oakdale Animal Shelter to provide free adoptions on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oakdale Animal Shelter at 9800 Liberini Road, Oakdale, off River Road. There will be a free raffle, an abundance of pet-themed items, games for the kids, and plenty of beautiful dogs and cats to adopt. Mirroring the season’s themes of hope and love, the event is called “A Home for the Holidays.”

The shelter serves the communities of Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon.

OSPA board member Debi Scoles said, “It will be a perfect day for the community to see the shelter, meet the staff and volunteers and interact with these adorable adoptable animals.”

Animal shelters across the country face hard times due to various factors: Rampant inflation has impacted family budgets, leaving little room for pet expenses. Veterinary appointments for spay and neuters are booked out for months, resulting in more unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. Pet rescue organizations that usually help are overwhelmed with many animals to care for, making it difficult to rescue these pets from overcrowded shelters. There are several dogs and cats that have been at the shelter for some time, waiting for a home.

Many people feel shelter animals make the best pets. OSPA and the Oakdale Animal Shelter personnel have carefully vetted the pets’ health and behaviors to help people find the best pet for them.

“We are hoping for a big turnout from our community so they can see what wonderful animals we have that could add so much joy to their lives,” Scoles added.

Anybody considering getting a pet for the holidays should make it a point to attend this free adoption event and rescuing one of these special pets.