Pet Adoption Fees Waived: National Clear The Shelters Day Is Saturday

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – San Diego County is looking to clear its shelters Saturday, which means you can take home a new pet for free. Rescue a dog, cat or rabbit – even a chicken, guinea pig or turtle – from the county’s three shelters in Bonita, Carlsbad and San Diego.

The special offer is part of Clear the Shelters day.

More than 73,000 pets have been adopted in Clear the Shelters day events since the annual campaign was launched by NBCUniversal and Telemundo in 2015. About 50,000 animals were adopted last year alone, with 777 animals from the San Diego region finding forever homes.

Last year, 304 animals were adopted from the county's shelters, an increase of 16 from the year before.

"Our animals are safe and well-cared for, but that is no substitute for a forever home," said Daniel DeSousa, director of County Animal Services. "They need to become part of a caring family, and in return their owners will get the unconditional love that only a pet can give."

At the county's shelters, dogs and cats will be neutered or spayed, vaccinated and microchipped at no cost to the adopter. Rabbits will also be neutered or spayed and microchipped for no fee.

More than 300 animals are available at the county’s shelters.

The county facilities will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday during Clear the Shelters day. Adoption applications are available online.

For more information about County Animal Services, visit sddac.com or call 619-767-2675.

An interactive map at www.cleartheshelters.com shows multiple shelters throughout the county participating in Clear the Shelters day.

Other participating shelters are:

• San Diego Humane Society locations at 5500 Gaines St. in San Diego, 3450 E. Valley Parkway in Escondido and 2905 San Luis Rey Road in Oceanside;
• Rancho Coastal Humane Society, 389 Requeza St., Encinitas
• City of El Cajon, 1275 N. Marshall Ave.
• City of Chula Vista, 130 Beyer Way
• Shelly's Shelter, 279 Surrey Drive, Bonita
• Friends of Cats, 15587 Olde Highway 80, El Cajon
• National Cat Protection Society, 9031 Birch St., Spring Valley
• San Diego House Rabbit Society, 4807 Mercury St.
• Wee Companions Small Animals Adoption, 3368 Governor Drive.

Image via County News Center