More Than 600 Animal Organizations Across the Country Team Up to Help Pets During Best Friends Animal Society’s Fifth National Adoption Weekend June 30-July 2
KANAB, Utah (June 28, 2023) – Shelters across the country are experiencing an increase in animal populations, but adoption numbers aren’t keeping pace, resulting in overcrowding and the killing of pets for space. That’s why Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of cats and dogs in shelters by 2025, and more than 600shelter and rescue group partners have joined together for the fifth National Adoption Weekend happening June 30-July 2.
During the three day event, people are encouraged to adopt a pet from local shelters, rescue organizations and Best Friends Pet Lifesaving Centers across the country. By adopting a unique and loveable shelter pet, two lives are saved: that of the adopted cat or dog, and another that can now take their space in the shelter.
Adoption fees will be waived at Best Friends Lifesaving Centers and programs in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Houston, Northwest Arkansas, and Kanab, Utah. All pets will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and ready to go home. Additionally, many of the more than 600 shelters and rescue groups participating will also be waiving or reducing adoption fees over the three-day weekend.
Recent data released by Best Friends showed that in 2022, 57% of shelters in the U.S. were no-kill, but 378,000 dogs and cats were killed nationally, largely due to a continued decrease in dog adoption
“This crucial turning point for animal welfare shows that it’s possible to save every healthy and treatable pet in a shelter, and it’s sustainable, said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society. “But shelters can't do it alone. We need community members to come out and support their local shelters and rescues nationwide.”
At a time so many shelters across the country are short-staffed and well over capacity, individuals can help save lives by choosing to adopt a deserving pet from a shelter or rescue group instead of purchasing from a breeder or store. If you can’t add to your family right now, you can still help by spaying or neutering your pets, fostering kittens or an adult dog, volunteering, donating, and advocating for proven lifesaving programming for local pets.
“Right now, there’s a dog or cat perfect for your family waiting for their loving home in a shelter. By adopting from a local shelter or rescue organization, we can make the entire country no-kill by 2025,” said Castle.
For more information or to find a shelter near you, visit bestfriends.org/no-kill-2025/animal-shelter-statistics.