Flagler County Humane Society adoption event highlights senior dogs

In 2023, 1,737 pets were adopted from the shelter. So far in 2024, 728 pets have been adopted.

By Sierra Williams
| 8:00 a.m. June 5, 2024

Charlie, Flagler Humane Society's longest resident (since May 2021), was at the adoption event. Courtesy photo

Chapo, 9, is one of the Flagler Humane Society's older residents. Courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society

Eli, 8, is one of the Flagler Humane Society's older residents. Courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society

FHS Executive Director Amy Carotenuto at the adoption event's kissing booth. Courtesy of Flagler Humane Society

FHS Executive Director Amy Carotenuto shows off a puppy at the adoption event. Courtesy of Flagler Humane Society

Lady Bird is a hound dog mix adopted from Flagler County in 2020. She is on her way back to the shelter after being found as a stray in Texas in May. Courtesy of Amy Carotenuto

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For the first time, the Flagler County Humane Society has had an adoption event that was sponsored by a national company.

Simparica Trio is a pet medication company that the Flagler Humane Society works with, FHS Executive Director Amy Carotenuto said. The event, held on June 1 at the Flagler Humane Society, offered half-price adoptions for any adopted pet that had been at the shelter over 30 days and focused on the shelter's long-time resident dogs.

So far in 2024, the Flagler Humane Society has adopted out 728 pets. In 2023, 1,737 pets were adopted.

Carotenuto said that even though the event did not get as much attention as she'd like from locals, she was glad for the opportunity to work with the company.

Charlie was the shelter's featured dog at the adoption event, the Flagler Humane Society's longest resident.

Charlie, just 4 years old, has lived at a shelter most of his life, Carotenuto said. Before coming to the Flagler shelter in May 2021, she said she believes he was at the Halifax Humane Society for a while, too.

Unfortunately, Carotenuto said, Charlie was again overlooked at this event.

"He's just kind of misunderstood," Carotenuto said. "It's just kind of luck of the draw."

In a press release from Simparica Trio, Charlie is described as "a young, vibrant spirit with a zest for life. His intelligence is striking, and his playful demeanor is infectious. His goofiness will surely bring a smile to your face, while his friendly nature makes him a joy to be around. He's already house-trained, making him a perfect companion for a home without other pets or small children. Charlie's waiting for a home where his playful spirit and loving heart can shine."

Unfortunately, size, breed and weight limits for dogs on rental properties and the negative stereotypes some breeds have mean breeds like Charlie often have a hard time getting adopted, Carotenuto said.

"People always say, all you all you have is pitbulls, and it's like, no, we get tons of other dogs," she said. "They just get adopted really fast."

Other times, the dogs are returned to shelters: like Lady Bird, a hound dog who was adopted in Flagler County in 2020, is on her way back to the Flagler shelter after a Texas shelter found her as a stray.

The Flagler Humane Society hosts adoption events and discounts throughout the year, but it isn't often that companies reach out to sponsor adoption costs. Adoption events like Simparica Trio's are key to highlighting all of the shelter's great dogs, Carotenuto said, event the older and bigger dogs.

"Everybody typically, you know, wants a puppy, or a little small breed," she said. "Sometimes, they can be the very nicest ones that just get looked over ... we just have to campaign for them a bit more."