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Pokemon Go Helps Pets Find Forever Families

By Suzanne McCarroll

GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4)- Pokemon Go stops at animal shelters in Colorado and across the country are having a huge impact on pet adoptions.

Pokemon players visit the Pokemon stops and find themselves falling in love with the animals.

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(credit: CBS)

Jessi Burns at Foothills Animal Shelter in Golden explains the phenomenon.

"People have been coming in visiting Pokemon stops and gyms and seeing what wonderful animals there are for adoption and ending up adopting them," said Burns.

Pokemon Go
A cellphone screen shows the game Pokemon Go. (credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

There's a Pokemon stop right by the front door of the Foothills Animal Shelter where CBS4's Suzanne McCarroll found employee Rebekah Moore playing the game.

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CBS4's Suzanne McCarroll interviews Rebeckah Moore outside Foothills Animal Shelter (credit: CBS)

"This is a Pokemon Go stop so I can get more Poke balls, so I can catch more Pokemon," said Moore.

Inside the shelter, 9-year-old Matthew likes the game Pokemon Go and really likes pets. He would like to adopt another dog at this Pokemon location but his parents say two dogs in the family are enough.

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(credit: CBS)

He tells CBS4's Suzanne McCarroll he's still trying.

When asked, "Do you think you can push them to three?" He responds, "Hmm, I've tried."

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(credit: CBS)

The Foothills Animal Shelter will be launching a Pokemon Pet campaign on social media, encouraging players to stop by the shelter, check into the game and check out the adoptable animals.

"Anything we can do to encourage adoption, encourage people to come into the shelter is wonderful and this is a fun way to do that," said Burns.

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(credit: CBS)

Suzanne McCarroll is a general assignment reporter at CBS4. Her stories can regularly be seen on CBS4 News at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Connect with her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @SuzanneCBS4.

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