Name Your Own Price For a Pet At McKamey

CHATTANOOGA, TN. (WDEF-TV) – A lot of folks here in the tri-state area got a new family member today.
It could have been "man’s best friend".
Or, a frisky kitten.
And they paid what they wanted to pay for those animals.

They were lined up to get inside the McKamey Animal Shelter today.
Anyone could come in and name their price on any animal in the building.

JAMIE MCALOON, EXEC. DIR., MCKAMEY ANIMAL CENTER "It’s pretty exciting…really exciting to see people waiting in line to adopt an animal at the animal shelter."

Last year the shelter adopted-out 68 animals–they hope to do a hundred this time.
Madicyn Jenkins drove up from Summerville, Georgia to get the pet she has wanted for 7 years.
Her dad insisted she take full responsibility for the dog she selected.
Her name in "Market".

MADICYN JENKINS, SUMMERVILLE, GA. "It could have been a puppy or anything..my dad wanted it to be an adult dog and he fits the kind of dog I’ve been looking for anyway."

The promotion comes at a good time for McKamey.

JAMIE MCALOON "…a lot of people don’t understand that we actually get a lot of animals during the holidays…and adoptions aren’t necessarily increased during the holiday …but we’re hoping to be…we want people to choose us as the first option for adoption..we have the largest quantity..biggest selection."

McKamey uses counselors to make sure the pet is a good fit.

JAMIE MCALOON "That counselor is going to interview them…go over things with them…try to make the best match possible for them…make sure that its a good experience..we want these animals to live the rest of the rest of their lives in that home."

And, judging from the crowd–a lot of furry critters have a new home for the holidays.