The St. Louis County animal shelter will waive adoption fees from Dec. 2-3 in an effort to reduce overcrowding and make it easier for families to adopt, county officials said Wednesday.

The two-day event, held at the center’s facility at 10521 Baur Boulevard in St. Louis County, comes after new regulations approved by the St. Louis County Council and marks the first time the shelter has offered a fee waiver under those rules. The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days — a total of 20 hours designed to give residents more opportunities to meet animals and complete the adoption process.

Every animal adopted during the event will leave the shelter spayed or neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped, the center said, noting that the fee waiver does not alter the facility’s standard medical protocol. “We know that animals can provide joy and happiness. They can help ease anxiety. They can even provide connection and help people move forward,” County Executive Sam Page said in a statement announcing the event.

Shelter officials said the decision responds to a recent uptick in owner surrenders and intakes tied to financial uncertainty among residents. When intake of animals — especially strays and owner surrenders — exceeds the number of adoptions and transfers out, shelters can become crowded, officials noted. Major drivers of that imbalance include rising pet care costs and household financial strain, which have contributed to longer shelter stays and fuller facilities. Shelter crowding can increase euthanasia risk in some facilities, but many shelters — including St. Louis County’s — use fee-waived events and other strategies to reduce euthanasia and increase adoptions.

“Our goal is to move animals into permanent homes while also connecting families to resources that will help them keep pets long-term,” said Dr. Kanika Cunningham, St. Louis County’s director of public health, about the St. Louis County Pet Adoption Center. Cunningham added that families visiting during the event will be able to receive other support, including free pet food available at the center or from animal control officers.

National shelter data provide broader context for the local effort. Recent figures from the ASPCA indicate about 72% of animals entering U.S. shelters are adopted, while roughly 8% are euthanized; the remainder are returned to owners or transferred to other organizations. Local leaders said the fee-waiver event is one tool to improve the shelter’s placement rate and avoid situations where intake outpaces available space.

Officials also stressed that members of the community can help beyond adopting. Many shelters rely on volunteers to assist with animal care, cleaning, socialization, events and administrative tasks. Residents can also support operations by donating money or supplies, fostering animals temporarily, assisting with fundraising and promoting adoption events in their networks, county staff said.

The St. Louis Pet Adoption Center’s extended hours are intended not only to increase the number of adoptions but to give prospective adopters time to meet animals and complete screening and paperwork without feeling rushed. Staff will continue routine medical checks and ensure animals are ready for new homes before leaving the facility.

Organizers encouraged residents to visit during the two-day event and to consider adoption as an option for finding a companion this winter. For those unable to adopt, shelter officials urged people to consider volunteering, fostering or donating as ways to relieve pressure on the facility while helping animals find stable placements.

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