Starting Friday, Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of cats and dogs in America’s shelters by 2025, is hosting its’ sixth Annual National Adoption Weekend, where dogs, cats, puppies and kittens will be fee-waived at Best Friends Lifesaving Center in NYC.
During the three-day event, people are encouraged to adopt a pet from local shelters, rescue organizations and Best Friends locations across the country.
By adopting a loving shelter pet in need, two lives are saved: that of the adopted cat or dog, and another that can now take their space in the shelter.
All pets will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and ready to go home. Additionally, many of the more than 680 shelters and rescue groups participating will also be waiving or reducing adoption fees over the weekend.
“No-kill means saving every dog or cat in a shelter who can be saved,” said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society. “It’s up to communities to step up and adopt dogs and cats in need to help make the country no-kill. National Adoption Weekend is a way for people to show their support, make a difference, and save a life.”
This year has been a tougher year for U.S. animal shelters than 2022, which already experienced a setback in lifesaving. Dog and cat populations continue to climb as many shelters were already at capacity. Length of stay for shelter pets also continues to rise, contributing to overcapacity issues. Adoption levels have been insufficient to provide relief, which is affecting dogs the most. The best way for people to make a difference and save lives is by adopting a cat or dog from a shelter in their community.
In addition, the below New York shelters and rescue groups will also be participating and waiving or reducing adoption fees for the weekend:
Anita’s Stevens-Swan Humane Society
Badass Animal Rescue
Broome County Humane Society & Relief Association
Buffalo Underdogs Rescue Inc
Helping Hounds Dog Rescue
Humane Assoc of Central NY Inc.
Keller’s Kats Rescue, Inc.
KittyKind, Inc
Lend-A-Paw Rescue Inc.
Middletown Humane Society
Mohawk Hudson Humane Society
Muddy Paws Rescue
North Country Pet Adoption Services
Paws Crossed Animal Rescue Inc.
Pet Adoption Network LTD.
Puppy Kitty NY City Inc
Rescue City
Rock N’ Rescue
Saving Paws Rescue, Inc.
SNARR Northeast Animal Rescue
Tabby Town
Ten Lives Club
The Humane Society of Walden
The SPCA Serving Erie County
Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter
Ulster County SPCA
Waggytail Rescue
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to around 378,000. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Working collaboratively with a network of more than 4,400 animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All®. For more information, visit bestfriends.org.