Over the past fiscal year, Kern County Animal Services have accomplished something substantial.

"We've adopted out more animals this past fiscal year than any year before," says Nick Cullen, the shelter's director.

They've come a long way.

"In 2010-2011, we were taking in 32,000 animals," Cullen said. "and we were putting down almost 70% of them, and that's a lot. We were euthanizing 20,000 animals."

But now, there's been a change. Survival rates were over 60% during the 2015-2016 fiscal year, and that's just the start. They're nearing 70%, and looking for more.

"Our ultimate goal is by 2020, to be saving 90% of the animals that come to us," Cullen said as he discussed moving towards a completely no-kill shelter status.

Part of this progression can be credited to a change in perception of shelter animals. It's also been driven by other non-profit organizations and Kern County Animal Services' foster program.

For more information on the shelter's foster program, click here.

They're also having holiday specials on adoptions; until January 3, dog adoptions are $40 and cat adoptions are $10. You can reach them at 661-868-7100.