November 1, 2024, Press Release from the Office of Ohio Governor Mike Dewine: (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—November is National Adoption Month, and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara B. Wente are calling on the community to work together to ensure that every young person waiting for adoption can find a permanent, loving family. “Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable, and loving family,” said Governor DeWine. “During National Adoption Month, we recognize the incredible Ohio families who have opened their hearts and homes to adopt, and we encourage more Ohioans to consider adoption as a way to make a lasting difference in the life of a child.”

November is "National Adoption Month," and Allen County Children Services is getting the word out about the process. So far this year, the agency has had twelve children find a forever home through adoption, triple the amount of last year. It's been one of the busiest years that Allen County Children Services has had, but there are still 10 children between the ages of 3 and 17 waiting for a permanent home, and that list could grow. So the call is going out for loving families to step forward and learn about the rewards of providing a child with a loving place to call home.

The League of Women Voters hosted an informational meeting with Allen County Children Services Tuesday Evening. Tuesday Night's topic, "Aging out of Children from Children's Service," shed light on what happens with children involved in children services following their 18th birthday when they become a legal adult.

Back in November, 23 shih tzus were rescued from an abusive environment, and since then all have made full recoveries, and all but one six-year-old male have found forever homes.

However, The Ohio SPCSA & Humane Society says they have seen an increased number of animals rescued from unsuitable homes in this past month. With many of them sick or injured, the shelter is seeking monetary donations to help cover their medical costs to get them healthy enough to be adopted. 

Regional Director Jenn Butler explains, “It’s great that there’s been a virtual option for those social supports but having something in your community where individuals know the supports and resources that are right here in your hometown. And that relationship building there’s so much value in that. So, they are really wanting that connection with others.”

The library held their second Woof and Meow adoption event. Deb’s Dogs and the Allen County Humane Society brought in dogs and cats of all ages for people to pet and check out and maybe make a part of their home. Library employees started the adoption event to bring together their passions of books and animals, that passion could even extend to the kids who are lucky to have a pet at home that they could read to.

A Lima man who tried to take his own life while being arrested, is now in police custody. Jeremy Kindle has recovered and was booked into Allen County Jail on Monday. He is being held on a charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Your Hometown Stations reported in July 2018 of kindle being a foster parent and adopted a trio of brothers. Allen County Children Services provided this statement regarding his arrest.

Allen County's first-ever virtual adoption was held this week. The Batchelder family officially adopted 10-year-old Brycson on Tuesday with the proceeding being held remotely through a Zoom meeting. The adoption had to be held this way because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Humane Society of Allen County is calling all cat lovers out there. Due to a high population of cats in their shelter, the Ohio SPCA & Humane Society on Elida Road is reducing their adoption fees for the month of September. The adoption fees for cats 10 weeks to one year will be $50, while the fee for cats over one-year-old will be $25. Currently, the shelter is housing over three hundred cats, with the hope that many of these cats will find loving homes this month.