Huntsville Animal Services will celebrate National Clear the Shelters Month throughout August with a series of adoption events, waived fees and community activities aimed at helping more shelter pets find permanent homes.

The nationwide initiative encourages communities to adopt, foster and support local animal shelters. This year’s Huntsville campaign is themed “Stars, Stripes & Second Chances.”

“Our ‘Stars, Stripes & Second Chances’ campaign connects the spirit of community with the joy of pet adoption,” Huntsville Animal Services Director John Fischer said. “Give a shelter pet the freedom to thrive this August. Whether you adopt, foster or volunteer, every act helps us clear the shelter and give animals a second chance.”

The month begins with Adopt on the Spot on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Woody Anderson Ford, 2500 Jordan Lane NW, where dogs and cats will be available for adoption with onsite support from Huntsville Animal Services.

The shelter will also waive adoption fees during the week of Aug. 10-15, with additional details to be announced through its social media channels.

From Aug. 17-22, Huntsville Animal Services will recognize its volunteer foster network during Foster Appreciation Week, themed “Life, Liberty and the Paw-suit of Happiness.”

The month concludes with the shelter’s annual Slumber Paw-ty on Friday, Aug. 28, from 5 to 10 p.m. The event will feature waived adoption fees, food trucks, hourly social media challenges and late-night adoptions. Visitors are encouraged to wear pajamas.

Throughout the campaign, the shelter will feature two patriotic mascots, George the dog and Martha the cat, in social media posts highlighting adoptable pets and foster volunteers.

All adoptions include age-appropriate vaccinations, microchipping and spay or neuter surgery.

Nationally, the Clear the Shelters campaign has helped more than 1.3 million pets find homes and raised more than $5.6 million for shelters and rescue organizations since its launch in 2015.

Huntsville Animal Services is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays until 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents can learn more by calling 256-883-3782, visiting the shelter’s website or following Huntsville Animal Services on Facebook. A current list of adoptable dogs and cats is also available online.

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