BEREA, Ohio — Just 11 more days until the Dawg Pound is filled again with diehard Cleveland Browns fans ready for a brand new season. And it's there, in the stands, that lifelong friendships have been forged — all for the love of this team.
But did you know some fans have found their new best friend at training camp in Berea in a place appropriately called "The Puppy Pound?"
"It's been a wonderful success," said Melissa McWilliams, development director for the Northeast Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "Right before we started this interview, we had two adopted!"
Since 2015 the Northeast Ohio SPCA has brought pups to Browns training camp on days it is open to the public. The non-profit, no-kill pet shelter has helped 739 puppies get adopted.
"It's been amazing! It varies between people coming here specifically knowing that they have a dog they want to adopt," McWilliams said. "And then, of course it goes to the other end where there are families here and their children are very excited to hold or pet a puppy."
Dogs at the Northeast Ohio SPCA are typically either surrendered or pulled from partner shelters in other states.
"Primarily we work with southern [states]," McWilliams said. "Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. Unfortunately, they just have an enormous about of animals just being bred. We'll transport them up to our shelters because we are a 'no-kill' shelter and we do want to save as many lives as possible."
Whether visitors adopted from the Puppy Pound, or just spent time snuggling with one, the SPCA always uses the opportunity to help educate Browns fans that they meet.
"A lot of times people don't understand the bigger problem that's out there. We get to tell them there are these overcrowding issues with shelters and why it's so important to spay and neuter your pet," McWilliams said.
Puppy Pound is operated with the support of the Cleveland Browns and Sugardale, which has been the presenting partner for the fourth consecutive year.
Also on board, Embrace Pet Insurance which donates $125 to the NEOSPCA for every adoption.
The Northeast Ohio SPCA is located at 9555 Brookpark Road Parma, Ohio 44129.
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