More dogs and cats at the Carroll County Animal Shelter found new homes in 2011 than any previous year. And Lt. David Padgett hopes to do better this year.

The adoption total for last year was 1,010.

“This year our goal is to beat that figure by 25 percent,” said Padgett, an animal control officer.

In 2010, the adoption figure was 1,001, he said.

Padgett said the largest number of adoptions was in December, when the shelter joined forces with the Carroll County Humane Society and Toys for Tots to offer a pet adoption special.

For people who brought a new toy to donate to the Toys for Tots Christmas drive, they could adopt a dog for $40 or a cat for $20, rather than for the usual $115 for dogs and $95 for cats.

“We had 325 adoptions during the two months we ran that drive,” Padgett said. “We collected more than 550 toys.”

Last year was only the second year for the Toys for Tots drive, but the numbers far exceeded those of 2010. During that year, 140 animals were adopted and 200 toys collected.

A similar drive last July, with lowered adoption fees, also helped 75 pets find homes.

Padgett noted that all animals are fully vetted when they are put up for adoption. All have been spayed or neutered and have received rabies vaccine, heartworm testing and a microchip ID installed. Cats are also tested for feline leukemia.

The animal shelter works with local humane organizations, pet rescue groups and spay/neuter groups to help lower the stray animal population and to find homes for those that end up in the shelter.

Teresa Leslie, president of the Carroll County Humane Society, said the shelter has come a long way since moving into its new building.

“They’re really proud of the work they do and the animals are more comfortable,” she said. “David works hard to find homes for the animals. I can’t say enough about how helpful everybody is at the shelter.”

This Saturday Dr. Linda Baxter, a Carrollton veterinarian, will be at the shelter to give rabies shots for $12 each, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with proceeds going to the Hickory Level Hound Rescue group. West Georgia Spay and Neuter Clinic will also be there to let people know about discounted rates for its services.

The shelter is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, for adoptions. The phone number is 770-214-3590.

Carroll County Animal Shelter has a Facebook page where animals available for adoption are pictured. They can also be seen on petango.com and petfinder.com. Padgett said the petango site is the most accurate since pets appear online as soon as they are available for adoption at the shelter.