Holiday shopping is not the only thing on sale in Encinitas this December. Rancho Coastal Humane Society is trimming adoption fees for adult dogs and cats to $65 during a mid-December promotion, cutting the price on animals that often run into the hundreds. The short-term deal is designed to place pets in homes more quickly and free up much-needed kennel space as the holiday rush approaches.
According to Fox5 San Diego, the reduced rate applies to adult dogs and cats 6 months and older. The discount is part of the national Empty the Shelters Holiday Hope campaign, which the BISSELL Pet Foundation lists as running from Dec. 1 to 15 and capping adoption fees at $70 for participating shelters. Rancho Coastal’s $65 price tag slides under that ceiling.
What the adoption fee covers
That lower fee does not mean bare-bones care. The standard adoption package still includes spay or neuter surgery, current vaccinations, a registered microchip, and a complimentary post-adoption veterinary exam, all items detailed in the shelter's process overview on the Rancho Coastal Humane Society site. Staff say bundling those services reduces upfront costs for adopters and makes it easier for pets to settle into their new homes without incurring surprise veterinary bills immediately.
Where and when to visit
During the promotion, the shelter will be open from 11 AM to 4 PM every day, except Tuesday, with the usual meet-and-greet sessions and application screening still in place, allowing animals and humans to be properly matched. For questions about availability, eligibility details, or timing, Patch notes that the front desk can be reached at (760) 753-6413.
Why this matters
The Empty the Shelters effort has been a major driver of pet placements nationwide since 2016. The BISSELL Pet Foundation reports that more than 374,000 adoptions have occurred through the initiative, a number that helps explain why shelters continue to sign on. Local coverage shows that Rancho Coastal has joined similar holiday campaigns in past years, using reduced fees as a tool to boost adoptions and clear space for animals that might otherwise sit in kennels for much longer. The Times of San Diego highlighted the shelter’s earlier December discount push.
