Rochester Animal Services joins ASPCA’s Rescue Effect campaign with fee-waived adoption events running through October

Rochester, New York – Rochester Animal Services is joining a nationwide effort aimed at helping more shelter animals find permanent homes, giving local residents several new opportunities to adopt pets without paying an adoption fee.

The city agency is participating in the ASPCA’s Rescue Effect campaign, a national initiative focused on increasing adoptions and helping shelters create space for animals that need care. As part of the campaign, Rochester Animal Services will waive adoption fees for eligible pets on several dates between August and October.

The effort comes as Rochester Animal Services continues working through ongoing shelter renovations. Finding homes for animals can help create additional room at the facility while also giving dogs, cats and other eligible pets a chance to move into permanent homes.

The fee-waived promotion will not be limited to animals housed directly at the shelter. Pets currently living in foster homes will also be included, giving prospective adopters more options.

Rochester Animal Services will also take adoptable dogs into the community through special events. Organizers hope bringing animals outside the shelter will allow more residents to meet them and potentially find a new companion.

The first scheduled event is set for Aug. 16 at CountryMax, 4658 W. Ridge Rd. in Spencerport. The adoption event will run from 2 to 4 p.m.

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The campaign will continue in September. On Sept. 9, adoptable animals will be featured during a Rochester Red Wings game from 4 to 6 p.m. at 1 Morrie Silver Way in Rochester. Another fee-waived event is scheduled for Sept. 26 at Rochester Animal Services, 184 Verona St., from noon to 4 p.m.

Two more events are planned in October. On Oct. 11, residents can visit the East Rochester Farmers’ Market at 317 Main St. from 8 a.m. to noon. The final listed event will be the RAS Halloween Adoption Event on Oct. 31 at the Rochester Animal Services shelter, running from noon to 4 p.m.

All animals available for adoption will be part of the fee-waived promotion on the listed dates. That includes animals staying at the shelter as well as pets currently in foster care.

For foster animals, prospective adopters do not have to complete the entire adoption process on the same day. The waived fee will apply to applications submitted through the city’s pet adoption website on one of the designated fee-waived days, even if the meet-and-greet with the animal is scheduled for a later date.

Rochester Animal Services is located at 184 Verona St. and is open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Weekend hours are noon to 4 p.m. Animals available at the shelter will also be available for adoption without a fee on the designated promotion dates.

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The Rescue Effect campaign is part of the ASPCA’s broader work to improve outcomes for animals in shelters and communities. The organization, formally known as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, works on animal welfare efforts that include disaster response, cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal relocation and placement, as well as support for shelter and veterinary communities.

For Rochester Animal Services, the campaign provides another way to connect animals with potential adopters while encouraging residents to consider giving a shelter pet a home.

People interested in adopting, fostering or volunteering can learn more about the available animals and Rochester Animal Services programs through the City of Rochester. The city also provides information about pets currently looking for homes and ways community members can support the shelter.

For more information about adopting, fostering, volunteering, or to view all available pets, visit www.CityofRochester.gov/RAS.