The Chattanooga Humane Educational Society and radio station KZ-106 are joining forces to honor the memory of radio personality KZ-106 and animal lover Kelly McCoy, who died March 22 at the age of 58.
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From noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, McCoy’s birthday guests can come to The Human Society at 4155 Randolph Circle for “Kelly’s Rock On Adopt-a-thon.” Jeanine Cloyd, community outreach and education manager for the Humane Society, said in a press release that the event honors the longstanding partnership McCoy has worked to build with the rescue.
“Everyone who knew Kelly or listened to her show felt the undeniable love she had for shelter dogs,” Cloyd said in a phone call. “I met her years ago when we had huge off-site adoption events. She would come out with the KZ-106 truck, hand out drinks to all the volunteers, and always call me at the end of the day. weekend to ask how many animals had found forever homes; she was the real deal.”
It was these weekend adoption events that inspired McCoy to start “Kelly’s Pet Projects” with KZ-106.
“Kelly would invite a representative of [the Humane Educational Society] dating a dog that was available for adoption weekly during his show,” Cloyd said. She always had her own bag of treats and loved taking the dogs to the office.”
Scott Chase, program director at KZ-106, added that while McCoy made many charitable contributions during his life, the biggest place in his heart was helping animals find homes.
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“She placed hundreds of pets in homes in Chattanooga through Kelly’s Pet Projects – one a week for over a decade,” he said in a phone call. “I worked with Kelly every day for 37 years, and although losing her was difficult, we got together at the station and thought that one of the best things we could do would be to tap into something. which was vital to her: the animals.”
KELLY’S ROCK ON ADOPT-A-THON
WHEN: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.
WHERE: Humane Educational Society, 4155 Randolph Circle, Chattanooga.
MORE INFO: Adoption fees waived for all adult dogs. Apply for adoption at heschatt.org/dogs or drop by the event.
At Saturday’s event, adoption fees will be waived for all adult dogs, including those 6 months and older. Since the theme is “Kelly’s Rock On Adopt-a-thon,” Cloyd also said staff members could walk out wearing their best rock ‘n’ roll outfits.
“And it will be an annual event celebrated every year on May 21, Kelly’s birthday,” she added. “Looks like we’re going to have a blast for years.”
KZ-106 will also be on hand throughout the event, playing music and sharing updates on animals up for adoption, and, for a donation, the station will be handing out commemorative pawprint stickers that feature some of Kelly’s favorite quotes. All profits go to human society.
“We’re doing this not just to celebrate and honor Kelly, but to continue the work of placing pets in homes that is so important,” Chase said, noting that KZ-106 will also continue to air Kelly’s Pet Projects during noon program.
People can apply for adoption online at heschatt.org/dogsand all adoptions include spaying/neutering, rabies vaccine, DAPPv and Bordetella vaccines and microchipping, according to a news release.
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“Wouldn’t it be amazing if everyone who loved Kelly chose to love an animal in her honor? I can’t think of a better way for all of us to remember her than to open our hearts and homes to a puppy from a shelter,” Cloyd says.
