Under the promotion, eligibility is defined as large dogs weighing 40 pounds and over and cats one year and older. The drive will run for just over two weeks, offering a focused window for people who might be available to integrate a new companion into their household during the holidays.

Financial support for the campaign comes from the Pet Care Foundation and a grant from the Georgia B. Ridder Foundation, which together underwrite the waived fees and other elements of the initiative. Chewy is contributing expanded Care Packages for adopters; for dog adoptees those packages include Kismet treats, a cozy bed, two toys, bowls and a matching leash and collar set. Organizers say the combination of waived fees and take-home supplies is designed to lower financial barriers and provide newcomers with items that ease the transition.

Shelter officials framed the initiative as a seasonal push to match animals with families at a time when placements can make a meaningful difference. Pasadena Humane noted that targeted fee-waive campaigns are a common tool used by animal shelters to increase placements at particular times of the year, and that combining a waived-fee offer for a focused group of animals with tangible take-home support tends to produce quicker outcomes.

The promotion comes amid the particular operational pressures many shelters face during the holiday season. Shelters commonly report reduced foster and volunteer availability as people travel or are busier, which can limit how many animals they can take in and complicate transports and care. They also experience increased surrenders and intake pressures around holidays, amplifying the need to move animals into permanent homes.

Adoption officials also encouraged prospective owners to prepare before bringing a new pet home. Potential adopters should pet-proof their home by securing electrical cords and trash, locking up cleaning products and medicines, removing or blocking access to toxic plants, and using baby gates or barriers to restrict unsafe areas. Setting up essential supplies and a safe, quiet space for a new animal is another important preparation step to help the transition go smoothly.

Pasadena Humane emphasized broader reasons for choosing shelter adoption. Adopting pets from shelters provides long-term benefits such as reducing pet overpopulation and euthanasia, since each adoption both saves an animal’s life and helps decrease demand for commercial breeding that contributes to overcrowded shelters. Organizers said the Home for the Holidays promotion is meant both to find homes quickly for eligible animals and to remind the public of the lasting value of adopting pets from shelters rather than purchasing.

Community response to similar drives has included first-time adopters, families looking to add another companion, and people seeking a pet to share the holiday season. Pasadena Humane urged anyone interested to contact the shelter directly to confirm adoption procedures, eligibility and available animals during the Dec. 14–31 timeframe.

By coupling waived fees with donated Care Packages and backing from philanthropic partners, the shelter aims to reduce immediate costs and logistical friction for new owners while addressing seasonal intake challenges. Officials described the initiative as one component of ongoing efforts to increase placements, support adopters and ultimately reduce the number of animals housed in the shelter system.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.