BETHEL – The Danbury Animal Welfare Society will hold its Summer Adoptathon on Saturday July 19, 1 to 5 pm, at the DAWS shelter in Bethel.

A recent surge in the number of stray animals has put a strain on the resources of many animal shelters across the country. DAWS is hosting this adoption event in the hopes of finding good homes for many of the needy animals in the Greater Danbury area.

Companion animal overpopulation has reached crisis proportion in the United States. There are millions of cats and dogs in shelters and not enough homes for them. The only way to stop the problem is to spay and neuter our animals. According to the Humane Society of the United States, one unaltered cat can produce 420,000 offspring in just seven years, and one unaltered dog can produce 67,000 offspring in just six years.

During the July 19Adoptathon, attendees will be able to meet the dogs and cats available for adoption at DAWS. Trained volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and talk to interested adopters. In addition, local sponsors of the event that include the Candlewood K-9 Academy, Quarry Ridge Animal Hospital and Valley Veterinary Hospital will host informational tables.

For more information about the Summer Adoptathon call DAWS at 203-798-5816 or visit the website at www.daws.org.