'Adopt-A-Thon' To Benefit Cobb Animals

Cobb County Animal Control is set to kick off its race on to win  on Saturday with an adoption event at the shelter.

Festivities at the "Adopt-A-Thon" include vendors, food, music, animal rescue groups, police K-9 demonstrations, raffles, special adoption rates and more.

There are 50 shelters in the challenge, and the ones with gains of at least 300 adoptions from 2010 to 2011 will qualify for prize money from a pool of $300,000. The ASPCA compares adoptions from August to October from both years.

The shelter that has the biggest increase will receive $100,000, while second place gets $25,000. Grants of $20,000 each will be awarded to five regional winners.

At Saturday's event, you'll get a chance to meet the county’s first full-time, on-staff veterinarian, Amy Belew. Belew, 38, whose roots are in Cobb, comes to the shelter from Holcomb Bridge Animal Hospital in Roswell where she practiced for more than two years. 

Festivities are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the shelter at 1060 Al Bishop Drive in Marietta.

If you cannot attend the event, you can purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win great prizes and help the animals.

Here is a list of available raffle prizes:

• Gift basket donated by Hot Dogs & Cool Cats Pet Boutique & Grooming Spa
• Haircut and blow dry donated by Kendrick & Company, 4719 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, 770-565-0859
• Handcrafted big chicken birdhouse donated by Linda S. Karlo
• $50 training certificate donated by MerryMac Dog Training & Nutrition Center 
• A medical laser therapy package for arthritic cats donated by the Cat Clinic of Cobb 
• $50 gift basket donated by Top Dogs Pet Boutique
• LED spotlight donated by The Home Depot, 2350 Dallas Hwy Marietta
• Pair of tickets to the Gone With the Wind Museum
• Framed sports poster donated by BP Sports
• Sterling silver charm donated by a Dedicated Animal Lover
• Organic dog biscuit cookbook kit donated by Carolee Berasi

For more information visit the CACC Adopt-A-Thon Facebook page.

For an updated list of raffle items, visit the CACC Facebook Raffle page.