Scarlett Thompson cuddles with her newly adopted pit bull puppy during a special Valentine’s Day adoption event held by the Arizona Humane Society and hosted by the Safeway store at 7th Street and Glendale Avenue (photo by Teri Carnicelli).

Spring is in the air, with temperatures creeping up and flowers at full bloom. It’s also the time of year where pet shelters become full to the brim with litters of puppies and kittens that were the outcome of the “spring heat.”

The Arizona Humane Society’s Sunnyslope shelter got the ball rolling early this year with a special “Puppy Kissing Booth” on Valentine’s Day to find some forever homes for a litter of 11-week-old pit bull puppies. All four of the puppies were adopted, and a team had to head back to the shelter to gather up more young dogs waiting for someone to love them.

By state law, the Arizona Humane Society cannot take in healthy stray dogs over 3 months of age. If you have a litter of puppies that you can’t care for, you can bring them to the Sunnyslope shelter at 9226 N. 13th Ave. The shelter also will accept litters of kittens; a litter is defined as kittens who are siblings and under 3 months of age.

Note that there are no fees for surrendering an animal, but AHS does request a monetary donation; the suggested amount is $35.

For more information on turning in or adopting animals at this shelter, call 602-997-7585 or visit www.azhumane.org.