For some, retirement means more relaxation and less responsibility.
That is, unless you're Suzanne Becker, a senior from Blue Springs, Missouri.
"I miss having something to take care of and snuggle up against and just have fun with," she said.
Becker said she misses having someone who greets her at the door, someone to take care of, someone to love and who loves her back.
"I am a widow and we decided I really needed a pet," she explained. Her husband died three years ago. "It helps a lot with the loneliness. I love animals, especially dogs."
That's why Becker spent her morning at Wayside Waifs in Grandview looking for her new best friend.
"We all want these animals who are currently homeless to have forever homes," said Casey Waugh with Wayside Waifs. "There are millions of animals out there in the country and thousands here in the Kansas City metro area that don't have homes. Between the three shelters we have hundreds of animals who we hope to send home this weekend."
To make that happen, Wayside Waifs, Great Plains SPCA and Kansas City Pet Project are joining forces to adopt out as many warm -- and cold blooded -- creatures as possible.
"Our animals add something to our lives," said Waugh, who has a rescue dog at home. "They enrich us, they make us happy, whether it's just a smile when we glance into their direction, or they hop on the couch and sit next to us because they are our best friend."
The goal this weekend -- find homes for 500 animals; we're talking cats, dogs, bunnies, chinchilas, rats, snakes and lizards.
The adoption fee is $35 per pet. To put that in perspective, you can't even get your pet microchipped for that price, much less spayed or neutered and completely vaccinated. You get all three for that price through the three shelters until Sunday.
Schedule:
Friday
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday
Noon to 6 p.m.
Locations:
Great Plain SPCA (Kansas)
5428 Antioch Dr.
Merriam, Kansas
Great Plains SPCA (Missouri)
21001 MO-78
Independence, Missouri
KC Pet Project (Main)
4400 Raytown Rd.
Kansas City, Missouri
KC Pet Project (Zona Rosa)
7351 NW 87th Terr.
Kansas City, Mo.
KC Pet Project (Petco)
11620 W 95th St.
Overland Park, Kansas
Wayside Waifs
3901 Martha Truman Rd.
Kansas City, Mo.
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Terra Hall can be reached at terra.hall@kshb.com.
