Want to adopt? These Triangle shelters are waiving or reducing pet adoption fees
The national Clear the Shelter adoption campaign is happening in August, with hundreds of shelters across the country hosting adoption specials to help find homes for animals in need.
Shelters have been seeing increased rates of pet surrenders, making this weekend a great time to adopt a new pet.
Several local shelters are hosting one-time adoption specials with big discounts or waived fees altogether.
Here are the details.
Waived adoption fees this Saturday
The Wake County Animal Center will waive all adoption fees from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
The Animal Center currently has 72 dogs, 13 cats, 13 kittens, three rabbits and one bird up for adoption.
You can access a gallery of adoptable pets at this link.
Orange County Animal Services in Chapel Hill is waiving all adoption fees this Saturday.
The shelter will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Animal Services is also reducing adoption fees for the entire month of August: fees will be just $25 for cats and dogs over four months old. Fees are nearly half for kittens ($60) and puppies ($80).
You can look at which pets are available on their website.
Animal Services runs a year-round adoption special for senior citizens: adoption fees are waived for any person 65 or older who adopts a senior cat or dog that is 8 years or older.
Adoption fees for any senior cat or dog are reduced to $30.
Address: 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill.
Orange County Animal Services asks for residents having trouble affording food for their pets to visit their Pet Food Assistance page.
Others may qualify for assistance with some veterinary care if they can’t afford it through their Veterinary Care Assistance Program.
Wake County SPCA
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, known as the SPCA, is Wake County’s independent nonprofit shelter in Raleigh.
The SPCA is offering 50% off all adoption fees during August.
Without the discount, adoption fees for adult dogs seven months and older are $95; puppies are $300; adult cats are $45; kittens (6 months and younger) are $150; bunnies are $35; guinea pigs are $15.
Is your space for a pet too small? The SPCA suggests considering adopting a smaller pet, like a bunny or a guinea pig.
You can access a FAQ with details on the adoption process at this link.
Address: 200 Petfinder Lane in Raleigh.
Durham County
The Durham Animal Protective Society is participating in the Clear the Shelters campaign until Aug. 31.
The APS is offering $50 dog and cat adoption fees.
The usual adoption fees are for dogs and puppies range from $125 to $175; $95 for cats and kittens; fees are $50 for a second cat when adopting them together; fees for other animals vary.
The Durham shelter has seen an increase in surrendered dogs of all breeds, leading to fewer resources to care for animals with greater needs, Shafonda Allen, executive director of the Animal Protection Society of Durham previously told The N&O.
Most of the surrenders are due to economical reasons, or lack of housing, Allen said.
Increased populations place dogs at risk of being euthanized.
