It's Officially Adopt a Shelter Dog Month - Cats No Fee!

For Immediate Release from Maricopa County Animal Care and Control Services:

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control Services

Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

Fall brings cooling weather and a slowdown in pet adoptions.  Yet Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) can still see up to 150 animals come through the doors every day. Last year, over 46,000 dogs and cats were brought to MCACC. While some of these animals are reunited with their owners, many healthy, happy dogs and cats are left sitting in kennels waiting for a loving home. MCACC wants to find these sweet animals’ homes, and hopes to educate the public about the many ways that responsible pet ownership can reduce pet homelessness.

This October, MCACC has lowered the cost of dog adoptions. All dogs are $51. The fee includes spay/neuter surgery, rabies vaccination (if over three months), and dog license (if over three months). As we still have many cats looking for their forever homes, all cats over a year old can go to a good home for $0.

Adopting an animal not only saves a life, it brings love and companionship into your home. And who doesn’t need a little more love in their lives? So come in and adopt an adorable, cuddly animal (or two).

Andy Kunasek, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors encourages families to think about adopting this month. “Consider a shelter pet as the next addition to your family,” he said.

 If you are already a pet owner, you can help by being a responsible one. Spay or neuter your pets. It greatly reduces the urge to fight, spray and roam. It also cuts down on the number of unwanted pets in Maricopa County. Keep your pets inside or safely enclosed in the back yard. Walk your dog on a leash at all times. Keep a dog license on your dog’s collar and an ID tag on your cat. Consider a microchip for your pets. Provide daily food, water and care to your pets. Of course, you can also add to your family by adopting another dog or cat!

Help us lower the number of animals looking for a good loving home - adopt and get your pets spayed or neutered. Visit pets.maricopa.gov for locations or call (602) 506-PETS (7387).