The Serene Spirit Holistic Expo welcomes local animal rescue organizations with adoptable animals. An open heart will notice the powerful energy of these “Earth angels” who are looking for a forever home with the humans they were sent to love and heal. Perhaps that is you.

Each rescue group operates independently, and will have their own adoption fee, adoption contract, and follow-up procedures. The fee is vital to support the missions of the rescue organizations. If you feel drawn to adopt more than one animal, perhaps to keep sibling dogs or cats together, please do not try to “negotiate” a lower fee. Each animal is worth far more in the love they provide than a small adoption fee, and these volunteer rescue groups desperately need every dollar to supplement their shoestring budgets. (You might even consider an additional donation.)

The fee is also a sign of commitment. The Expo wants to avoid situations where animals are adopted in a rush of enthusiasm at the Expo, and later returned to a shelter, or worse, once the reality of their daily care settles in. These animals have already been abandoned at least once; only the cruelest of hearts would want an animal to go through that emotional turmoil again. And please – only adopt if you can provide an indoor home. Tying up a dog away from its human “pack” is mental cruelty. Likewise, rescued cats are looking for a family to love, not a barn to live in.

So be sure to think through your decision (especially if considering more than one animal), and then adopt your Earth angel with an open heart and a firm commitment to provide a loving and peaceful home for your new pet(s) for as long as it lives.

If you are new to owning a pet, check with the rescue organization for advice on caring for your new family member. And if adopting a dog, ask for the names of individuals who provide canine training. Far too many dogs are abused, dumped, or given to shelters simply because the human doesn’t know how to train the dog, and won’t make the effort to learn. Please don’t be one of those people. A couple of weeks of training can provide years of wonderful companionship.