You Can Adopt A Dog Or Cat For Free This Weekend In Chicago

By Gwendolyn Purdom in News on Jul 22, 2016 8:03PM

If you've been considering adding a four-legged-friend to your family, this weekend may be the perfect time to do it. On Saturday, dozens of Chicago area animal shelters will discount or completely waive adoption fees as part of the second annual Clear the Shelters event.

More than 400 shelters in 20 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico will participate in this year's pet adoption initiative including local facilities like PAWS, The Anti-Cruelty Society, The Animal Welfare League, Chicago Animal Care and Control, Treehouse Humane Society and many more.

Last year, the NBC- and Telemundo-backed event resulted in 1,354 animals finding new homes in Chicagoland in its first year, with several shelters (Angels' Wings in Crystal Lake, Hinsdale Animal Hospital and McHenry County Animal Care And Control among others) ending the day-long drive with their cages entirely cleared. Across the country, more than 19,000 pets were adopted from participating shelters. This year's event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the discounted or waived fees will only apply to animals six months old or older (sorry, if you want a puppy or kitten, you're going to have to pay full-price). The shelters' regular policies also apply.

According to the ASPCA, 7.6 million homeless animals end up in shelters across the country each year and only 2.7 million of those are adopted—a figure participating shelters are looking to significantly boost.

"Our hope is that this event will shine a light on some of our wonderful, deserving adult dogs and cats who are often overlooked," PAWS associate director of media and community relations Sarah McDonald told us. "It’s thrilling to know that for every animal adopted during Clear the Shelters, space has been created to save another life in his/her place."

Every pet should be loved like Isaboo! Find out more about #ClearTheShelters on 7/23 at https://t.co/RWyDqsdFHk. pic.twitter.com/L54KCWlKtz

— Rachael Ray Show (@RachaelRayShow) July 14, 2016

For NBC's interactive map of participating shelters, click here.