Adoption Fees Waived at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control will participate in the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters® Holiday Hope reduced-fee adoption event from December 1–15, 2025, making 165 dogs and other shelter pets available across county facilities.

The weeklong drive is part of a national effort that supports shelters and connects animals with homes; BISSELL Pet Foundation is sponsoring the reduced adoption fees, which significantly increase overall adoption rates by removing financial barriers and expediting the adoption process. Research from the University of Florida’s Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program shows that such events positively impact animals’ length of stay in shelters.

Maricopa County will host the event at three locations: West Shelter, 2500 S. 27th Avenue in Phoenix; East Shelter, 1920 S. Lewis in Mesa; and the Everyday Adoption Center, 4380 N Miller Rd in Scottsdale. Prospective adopters will find dogs described by shelter officials as at least 6 months old, many with prior home experience, house-trained, and already spayed or neutered and vaccinated. During holiday events, the percentage of pets adopted in shelters typically peaks, with dog adoption rates generally increasing during this period.

“This year has placed enormous pressure on shelters across the country, as more families face financial hardship and housing changes that force them to surrender beloved pets,” said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. She highlighted the crucial nature of these timely initiatives, especially during the holiday season.

Kim Powell, Communications Supervisor for Maricopa County Animal Care & Control, emphasized seasonal timing. “Adoptions are super important this time of year as we prepare for the New Year holiday, which is a very busy time for dog shelters all around the nation,” Powell said, urging community members to consider adoption during the event. Individuals can also contribute by volunteering, fostering pets, or organizing donation drives to support their local shelters beyond just adoption events.

Shelter staff say many of the dogs available meet common adopter preferences: older than six months, house-trained and current on core veterinary care, which shelters often note shortens the transition into a home. The reduced-fee structure aims to lower financial barriers and expand placement opportunities during a period when demand for adoptions traditionally rises.

Maricopa County Animal Care & Control is coordinating the local effort; information for the county’s adoption programs and event specifics appears on county posts about waived or reduced fees and shelter initiatives. Interested adopters can visit the county’s announcements for event details and location hours.

Community outreach is part of the push: shelters encourage residents to visit the three sites, meet animals ready for adoption, and complete required adoption procedures during the Dec. 1–15 window. Organizers note the event is a concentrated effort to place animals into permanent homes ahead of the New Year, connecting more families with furry companions in the process.

The Holiday Hope adoption window runs through December 15, 2025, at the Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale locations listed above. Shelter officials and the BISSELL Pet Foundation expect the reduced-fee week to move animals into homes and reduce shelter stays during a peak season for both intakes and adoptions.

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Original reporting: view the original article.