The holiday spirit has taken a furry turn in San Diego as the County Animal Services announced it will waive adoption fees through December. This decision came on the heels of a successful event on December 9, where 30 lucky animals found their new homes. "We want to give everyone the joy of spending their holidays with a new furry, feathered, or scaly friend. And to make it an even better gift, we are waiving adoption fees through the year," Kelly Campbell, the Director of the Department of Animal Services, explained in a statement obtained by the County News Center.

Help strays find a home for the holidays. County Animal Services have extended fee-waived adoptions at its Bonita and Carlsbad shelters. https://t.co/kL1QHzLmzJ

— SanDiegoCounty (@SanDiegoCounty) December 14, 2023

The adoption offer isn't just a cost-saving opportunity for prospective pet parents; it's also a chance to save a life. Adopted dogs and cats from the county shelters will be equipped for their new homes, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and fully vaccinated—a one-year dog license is also thrown in for the local service area. With a myriad of animals, from cats and dogs to less conventional pets like turtles, roosters, and even pigs, up for adoption, the shelters encourage interested visitors to browse their Adoptions page online, then drop by to meet their potential new family members. However, the event's success has shown that prospective pet owners have turned out in droves, adopting animals on a first-come, first-served basis.

While getting animals into forever homes for the holidays is the primary goal, County Animal Services also promotes fostering as an essential step in the adoption process. Fostering helps animals learn the ropes of home life and socialize with other pets and people, preparing them for their eventual permanent placement. The Department remains dedicated to providing excellent care in its shelters and finding good homes for every healthy and treatable animal.