Lawrence Humane Society to have Animal Clear-Out Day on September 7; some adoption fees to be waived even earlier

photo by: Lawrence Humane Society

Cerce is up for free adoption at the Lawrence Humane Society.

The Lawrence Humane Society’s annual “Clear the Shelter” day is scheduled for September 7, when all adoption fees will be waived.

Typically, adoption fees for adult dogs are around $150, $300 for puppies, $60 for adult cats, and $125 for kittens.

photo by: Lawrence Humane Society

Howard is up for free adoption at the Lawrence Humane Society.

In recent years, Lawrence Humane has adopted anywhere from 70 to nearly 200 animals on Clear the Shelter Day, according to the Humane Society. Last year, 163 animals were adopted, including 99 cats and 64 dogs. This year, Lawrence Humane’s goal is to ensure that at least 175 animals (75 dogs and 100 cats) are in their new homes by the end of the day.

Each adopted pet goes home spayed, neutered, fully vaccinated, dewormed and microchipped, along with a collar, leash and a starter bag of Hill’s Science Diet pet food.

The shelter’s cleanup day will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 6 p.m., or earlier if all the animals are adopted. Potential adopters will line up outside the front doors at 1805 E. 19th St., and staff will allow entry into the building in waves. Adoption counselors will be able to help potential adopters assess the animals’ behaviors, such as whether a dog or cat will be compatible with another pet in the household.

In addition to waiving adoption fees for all animals starting September 7, Lawrence Humane is also waiving adoption fees for select animals from now through September 5 (adoptions are not available on September 6). These are primarily dogs (and likely some cats) who are “wonderful companions, but have a harder time coping in more intense and stressful situations like Clear the Shelter,” according to Elina Alterman, the shelter’s director of development and communications.

photo by: Lawrence Humane Society

Blueberry is up for free adoption at the Lawrence Humane Society.

“We want to make sure we’re doing right by them and giving them the best opportunity to find their perfect home in a calmer, slower way, while still honoring the promise of no-cost adoption,” Alterman said.

Alterman encouraged people not to wait until Clear the Shelter Day if they have their eye on a particular animal, as there is no guarantee the animal will still be available that day.

“If they are interested in a particular animal, we encourage them to go see it and start the adoption process now,” she said. “Even though they have to pay an adoption fee, since the animals are all spayed, neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and dewormed, it’s still a great deal.”

Local Clear the Shelter Day is part of a national pet adoption campaign led by NBCUniversal in partnership with Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

For more information, visit lawrencehumane.org.

photo by: Lawrence Humane Society

Apollo is up for free adoption at the Lawrence Humane Society.