Adoption Alert: A New Bunny, Bird, Guinea Pig Could Be Yours Fee-Free

SALEM, MA — The Northeast Animal Shelter of Salem and MSPCA-Angell are seeking those willing to provide a forever home for a new bunny, bird, guinea pig or other small pet this weekend with shelters at now at or over capacity — with one even having to put cages in its lobby.

The shelters in Salem, Boston, Methuen and Centerville on Cape Cod will waive the adoption fees — up to $85 for small pets — in hopes of finding these little guys and gals new caring homes while opening up space for additional surrenders.

"It's absolutely critical that adopters step up and take some of these guys home," said Bryn Rogers, MSPCA-Angell assistant director of adoptions and programs. "We want to be there for people in the community who need to surrender small animals, but we won't be able to do that if we can't free up some space."

Rogers said the adoption of small animals is down 24 percent from 2022.

"We've been spending a lot of time and attention this summer on dogs, and for good reason given the ongoing euthanasia crisis nationwide, but we still need to find homes for a lot of other animals in our care."

Fees for small pets — which also include rats, mice, ferrets, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, degus and birds — typically range from $15 to $85 but will be waived from Friday through Sunday so owners can put that money toward the care of their new pet.

Adopters can register for a visit time here but it is not required for this event.

An MSPCA-Angell spokesperson also told Patch on Thursday that the five pit bull puppies featured on Patch after being rescued from South Carolina after suffering painful back injuries due to neglect are "settling in well" at the Salem shelter and should be ready for adoption out of the Northeast Animal Shelter soon.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)