Animal shelters throughout Southern California are waiving their normal fees Saturday to support California Adopt-a-Pet Day.
Los Angeles’ six city shelters are participating, along with Los Angeles County and Orange County shelters and shelters in Long Beach, Burbank, Santa Monica and Pasadena.
Adoption fees are being covered for dogs and cats, but also for “exotic” pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs. Additionally, adoption fees for equines are being covered up to $500.
The facilities are able to waive adoption fees thanks to ASPCA grants covering costs for most participating organizations. Shelters routinely vaccinate, spay/neuter and microchip animals, so adopters receive animals with essential medical care already completed.
Shelters across the state are chronically overcrowded with pets needing homes, and Saturday’s annual event is an effort to relieve some of that overcrowding, which places stress on shelter staff and animals alike.
A list of participating shelters can be found at caadoptapetday.org/find-a-shelter.
California Adopt-a-Pet Day is organized by CalAnimals, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the San Francisco SPCA. Its goal is to help at least 5,000 animals find loving homes.