If you have been on the fence about bringing home a four-legged roommate, San Antonio Animal Care Services is making the decision a lot easier. The city’s municipal shelter is waiving all adoption fees through Sunday as its kennels swell to more than 550 animals after recent flooding and the typical summer intake surge. Every pet adopted during the fee-waiver will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and fitted with a microchip, and staffers are also urging residents to foster to free up space. Without new adopters or temporary homes, the department has warned that dozens of dogs are at immediate risk of being euthanized.
As reported by the San Antonio Express-News, the shelter is housing more than 550 animals and the city has dropped its usual adoption fees for the weekend, which are normally $86 for dogs and $34 for cats. The paper also notes that Animal Care Services frequently updates an online list of animals at imminent risk so rescues and adopters can quickly find the most urgent cases.
How the free adoptions work
According to a City of San Antonio news release, all animals adopted during the fee-waiver will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped with registration. People who foster will be provided necessary supplies and medical care. The release invites residents to visit Animal Care Services’ main campus to meet adoptable pets and includes a media contact for anyone who needs more information.
Why kennels are full
Animal Care Services says the latest surge is tied to weather-related calls after recent flooding, on top of the regular summer influx of litters and owner surrenders. As of Friday, the department told reporters that roughly 50 dogs were at risk of being euthanized because there was no room left in the kennels, the San Antonio Express-News reported.
How to help
People who want to adopt or foster can view available animals, check the shelter’s urgent lists and fill out a foster application on the City of San Antonio’s Animal Care Services pages, the city said. Animal Care Services’ main campus is at 4710 State Highway 151, and contact information and next steps are listed in the city’s release for anyone who can take in a pet or help spread the word.
