MSPCA-Angell and its shelter partners are waiving adoption fees for 100 adult dogs across Massachusetts through Sunday, Dec. 14.

The holiday promotion, organized by MSPCA-Angell and a coalition formed in July 2024, aims to speed adoptions of adult dogs—a group shelters say has been slowest to find homes—to reduce euthanasia risk and improve animal wellbeing. Recent trends show that dog adoption rates in U.S. shelters have been slightly declining, despite reduced intake, indicating an urgent need for initiatives like this.

Officials said the fee waiver applies to all dogs age 1 and older at participating locations. The campaign runs at MSPCA-Angell’s Boston facility alongside partner shelters across the state and highlights examples of dogs available without an adoption fee, including Maize, Nutella and Cash. Currently, about 57% of dogs entering shelters are adopted each year, showcasing the ongoing challenge of finding homes for older dogs.

Jamie Garabedian, project manager at MSPCA-Angell, said the coalition began with a simple objective. “We started the coalition last year with the goal of reducing euthanasia in shelters across the state and improving the overall wellbeing of animals that call the Commonwealth home,” Garabedian said. This is especially significant as studies indicate that 31% of dogs in shelters face euthanasia each year if not adopted.

MSPCA-Angell is coordinating the drive with shelters that include Berkshire Humane Society, Worcester Animal Rescue League, Boston Animal Care and Control and Baypath Humane Society, and other local rescues. Information about the campaign appears on the MSPCA-Angell website, where individuals can also learn effective ways to support their local shelters beyond adoption, such as volunteering or donating supplies.

Garabedian framed the push as part of seasonal outreach. “It’s the holiday season—a time when everyone, including these homeless pets—should be celebrating with family and surrounded by love,” she said. The coalition’s formation in July 2024 set the stage for coordinated, time-limited promotions across multiple organizations, the organizers said. Alyssa Krieger, community outreach director at MSPCA-Angell, is listed among staff supporting the initiative and outreach to participating shelters.

Garabedian noted broader goals tied to repeat adoptathons. “If we’re able to hit our adoption goal, we will have collectively adopted out 1,000 dogs during these kinds of events—a truly remarkable achievement,” she said. Some shelters have reported that larger dogs are facing tougher adoption prospects, making this promotion critically important for those pets.

Shelter officials described adult dogs as a population that can face longer stays and greater risk in crowded systems, particularly during slower adoption periods. The fee-waived promotion is intended to remove a financial barrier and raise visibility for older and larger dogs that shelters say are often overlooked. In light of ongoing statistics, it is vital to address this issue proactively.

Baypath Humane Society and other partners are participating in the event at their own locations, welcoming prospective adopters while applying the same fee-waived policy for dogs aged 1 and older through the promotion’s end date.

Organizers encouraged members of the public to visit participating shelters to meet animals and complete adoptions on site. Examples of dogs offered fee-free—Maize, Nutella and Cash—were singled out to represent the variety of adult dogs awaiting homes during the campaign.

The promotion remains in effect through Sunday, Dec. 14, with MSPCA-Angell and partner shelters handling adoptions and placements at their respective facilities.

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Original reporting: view the original article.