Anyone that has worked in an animal shelter will tell you the color of an animal’s coat is indicative of the length of their stay at the shelter. Black pets are often overlooked in adoption in favor of lighter-colored pets. Whatever the reason for the coat color bias, one thing is certain - pets of all colors make great companions. From Monday, Aug. 17, to Saturday, August 22, Collier County Domestic Animal Services (DAS) will offer discounts on dark colored pets in observance of Black Animal Awareness Week. Cats adoptions are only $20 (regularly $60), and dog adoptions are only $25 (regularly $85). “Black pets need forever homes just like other pets,” said DAS Volunteer Coordinator Katie Sibert. “We hope that by discounting the adoption prices of animals with darker coats, they might find their forever homes a little faster.” You can check out some of the amazing pets available for adoption at DAS on our “Happy Tails” television show. “Happy Tails” airs every night at 7 p.m. on Comcast and CenturyLink channel 97. You can also visit our website, www.collierpets.com, or come to the shelter to look in person. Our Naples shelter is located at 7610 Davis Blvd., Naples, Florida 34104, and adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Adoption hours at our Immokalee Shelter, located at 405 Sgt. Joe Jones Road, Immokalee, Florida 34142, are 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Tucked away off of Stockade Road past the Immokalee Jail, Immokalee’s stray dogs and cats have a very special place to call home. It’s a place where after running streets, being neglected or abused, or found to be unwanted by their former human caregivers, companion animals are brought in for a second chance. The shelter provides a dry and safe kennel, food and water, medicine, and love and attention. If you would like to help the homeless animals of Immokalee, volunteer for DAS and enjoy walking, comforting and socializing the animals. It’s this type of interaction that gives the homeless animals the best possible chance to find a forever home. If you are interested in volunteering for Collier DAS, please call Kathleen Sibert at (239) 252-8657. Orientation in Naples is required prior to volunteering; however, times are flexible. For more information, please call Public Information Coordinator Daniel Christenbury at (239) 252-6956 or (239) 252-PETS (7387).