PAWS lowers adoption fees this week

WASHINGTON — PAWS & More Animal Shelter will lower its adoption fees from July 8-14, to $0 for cats and $50 for dogs. PAWS said its shelter would stay open from 12-4 p.m. from July 8-14.

The shelter is one of 390 across the nation participating in an “empty the shelter” campaign coordinated with BISSELL Pet Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to “end pet homelessness,” according to a news release from the shelter.

“We are beyond excited to have BISSELL Pet Foundation partner with us for this event,” said PAWS & More Development Manager Terri Wood in a statement. “Our goal is to empty every kennel at our shelter with the help of Washington County and all surrounding areas. We welcome anyone who can offer one of our wonderful animals a great home to come visit us during this event.”

The BISSELL event is the largest funded adoption event in the nation, according to the news release, which said it dated back to 2016, and had helped more than 253,000 pets find homes in the years since.

In her own statement, Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation, said the nationwide push to get animals adopted was extremely urgent this summer.

“Shelters are struggling with a variety of challenges right now — some are evacuating pets because of wildfires, tornadoes, or even loss of air conditioning in extreme heat, and others are overcrowded and having to euthanize highly adoptable pets to make space, a tragic situation,” she said. “BISSELL Pet Foundation’s upcoming Summer National Empty the Shelters event is a crucial opportunity for people to make a real difference in their community through adoption. Every single adoption saves a life and creates space to save another.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com