Shelter Dog Adoption Fees Waived for 'World Pup' Weekend Event

SALEM, MA — Dog adoption fees for animals age 1 and older will be waived during a three-day event this weekend at MSPCA-Angell adoption centers and several partner shelters across Massachusetts.

The soccer-themed "World Pup" adoptathon will run Friday through Sunday at all four MSPCA-Angell adoption centers in Boston, Methuen, Salem and Centerville on Cape Cod, as well as Berkshire Humane Society, Boston Animal Control, Dakin Humane Society, Lowell Humane Society, Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center, and Worcester Animal Rescue League.

The event is the second of three adoption events planned this summer.

The event was inspired by the excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup and is meant to help keep up adoption momentum during a season when dog adoptions have historically slowed.

The MSPCA-Angell and six of its Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support coalition partners are participating. Adoption fees at MSPCA-Angell are partially subsidized by Hill's Pet Nutrition and MetLife Pet Insurance, which are sponsoring the event.

"Summer is a challenging time for shelters because we’re facing pressure from both sides — intake is especially high, while in past summers, adoptions have dipped," said Jamie Garabedian, Project Manager in the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division. "That means we have to get creative about helping dogs find homes and making sure there's space available for the next animal who needs us."

Garabedian said the group has used fee-waived adoption events during the summer as one response.

The event also comes as the MASS coalition marks its two-year anniversary this month. Since the coalition was formed, 1,350 dogs and 357 cats have found homes during MASS coalition adoption events, according to the announcement.

"We first came together to find targeted solutions to challenges affecting the animal welfare community," Garabedian said. "Since then, we've made meaningful progress, expanded our network, and continue to work together to help more animals and their families."

"It’s exciting to have so many shelters participating because it means we’re reaching adopters in communities all throughout Massachusetts," said Garabedian.

More information, including varying open adoption hours by location, is available here.