The Cosumnes River College Veterinary Technology Program will be hosting Pet Adoption Day this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the veterinarian technology buildings near soccer field #2.

The event is meant to provide an opportunity for the public to visit and interact with the Vet Tech Program’s dogs and cats that are looking for, what is commonly known as, their forever homes. All the animals have been of service to the Vet Tech Program throughout the school year and have received 24/7 care by the students of the program.

“We want to give back to the animals by finding them good homes,” said program coordinator and club advisor Cheryl Buch.

Buch said the animals were found in local shelters at the beginning of the fall semester to assist students for the duration of the school year. The animals provide key components to the students’ education by having them learn all aspects of nursing in a veterinary hospital setting with hands-on training, such as examination, administering anesthesia, X-rays, dentistry and prepping for surgery.

“Students have gained vital skills by caring for them in twice-daily shifts consisting of feeding, walking and/or playtime, cleaning kennels, administering medication and other husbandry skills,” said 21-year-old veterinary technology major Kirsten Hendrickson.

While working with the animals in the program, Hendrickson said the students developed special bonds and have coordinated Pet Adoption Day in hopes that “each individual animal finds their perfect match.”

“I hope every animal finds their special person or family who they can have a loving and mutually beneficial relationship with,” said 22-year-old veterinary technology major Victoria Baldwin. “I want them all to be happy.”

Now coming close to the end of fulfilling their service commitment with the veterinary program, the six dogs and four cats currently available are fully prepared to be adopted. Each animal is spayed or neutered, up-to-date on their vaccinations, microchipped and the dogs have learned basic obedience commands.

If anyone is interested in adopting and currently owns a pet, Buch said she recommends to bring their pet to have a neutral place for an introduction in order to find the best fit possible.

An adoption fee of $150 for each dog and $50 for each cat will be required to secure all adoptions, with proceeds helping the animals that are cared for by the Vet Tech Program.

The animals that are adopted will be ready to go home on the evening of May 4.

To get a sneak peak of the animals available, check out the CRC events page or go to Petfinder.com to read a little about them.

For more information contact Cheryl Buch at (916) 691-7355.