This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Who says you can't buy friends? And this month, the four-legged variety cost only $47.
The Humane Society of Utah, at 4242 S. 300 West in Murray, is overflowing with all kinds of canines, and through the end of July is offering a "Big Dawg" special where any dog weighing 30 pounds or more can be adopted for $47.
The fee includes vaccinations, sterilization and implantation of a free microchip.
The Big Dawg deal is the agency's way of honoring Utah's pioneers and the Days of '47 "while blazing a trail to new homes and new lives for our larger four-legged friends," said Humane Society of Utah Communications Director Carl Arky.
Watching tails wag as dogs leave his facility with their new owners could be the best part of his job. But the need for more adoptive households is dire, he added.
"Right now we have close to 100 'big dogs' in our receiving department, which is twice as many dogs our facility is normally equipped to handle," Arky said. The receiving area is where dogs stay until space clears in the kennels that people can peruse for a new best friend. Those kennels currently have 30 large dogs ready to adopt out.
"Our cup runneth over," Arky said, describing the need for more adoptive homes as serious and urgent.
For more information, go to http://www.utahhumane.org or call 801-261-2919.