For the first time in 47 years, this Pennsylvania animal shelter was emptied prior to the holidays

Just before Christmas, the Adams County SPCA announced that every dog had been adopted, marking the first time in 47 years that its kennels had been completely cleared.

It was a very merry Christmas for all the dogs at the Adams County SPCA who were waiting to find their forever homes. 

Just prior to the holiday, the animal shelter in Gettysburg announced that every dog had been adopted, marking the first time in 47 years that its kennels had been completely cleared.

“Two weeks ago our kennels were almost filled, now we don’t have any dogs in the building at all,” the shelter wrote on Facebook. “To say that we are beyond excited is an understatement! The staff and volunteers have worked VERY hard to take care of the animals in our care and to make sure they got adopted to the right home!”

The story went viral, thanks to being picked up by the popular Instagram account We Rate Dogs, and the Today show.

The shelters weren’t cleared for long, however. Just as the Adams County SPCA was sharing the good news about all the dogs being adopted, it welcomed a stray cat — leave it to a cat to upstage good news involving dogs. According to a Facebook post early Wednesday, that cat, a Persian named Leland, had already been adopted.  

The shelter, which houses homeless, abandoned, and lost animals, said it adopted out 598 animals this year, and helped 125 strays reunite with their owners.  

For anyone looking to adopt a furry friend in Adams County, the shelter is beginning to take in animals from other Pennsylvania shelters. The shelter is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adoptions are by appointment only.