Shelters Waive Fees for August Adoption Campaign

The Clear the Shelters campaign is taking place nationwide throughout August, with animal shelters waiving or reducing adoption fees to address record-high intake of stray and surrendered pets and slower adoption rates. Shelters like the Dane County Humane Society are launching weekly specials, starting with 50% off cat adoptions and culminating in a special event on August 23, to encourage pet adoptions amid ongoing capacity challenges. The campaign, which began in 2015, has helped nearly 1.2 million pets find homes and raised over $5 million for animal welfare. Participating organizations include the Valley Animal Center, the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, and others, with some shelters waiving fees for all animals or running local events. Individual pets such as Maddox, Mac, Dexter, and Mia are being highlighted to boost adoption rates. Community involvement is encouraged to help alleviate shelter crowding and support animal welfare initiatives.