Rochester Animal Services continues Rescue Effect campaign with fee-waived adoptions for pets in need

Rochester, New York – Rochester Animal Services is continuing a nationwide effort to help shelter animals find permanent homes, with another fee-waived adoption day scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9.

The local program is part of the Rescue Effect campaign, a nationwide initiative sponsored by the ASPCA that aims to help more animals leave shelters and move into loving homes. Rochester Animal Services is participating by waiving adoption fees for eligible pets on several dates through October.

The effort comes as the city’s animal shelter continues to deal with renovations. By helping more animals find homes, the campaign can also create additional space for pets that still need shelter and care while the work continues.

Wednesday’s events will give Rochester-area residents more than one opportunity to meet animals that are looking for homes. Rochester Animal Services will offer fee-waived adoptions at its facility at 184 Verona St. from noon to 6 p.m.

Adoptable dogs will also be part of a special community event at the Rochester Red Wings game. The event is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. at 1 Morrie Silver Way in Rochester, giving people attending the game a chance to meet dogs available for adoption.

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The city has planned several additional dates as part of the campaign. On Sept. 26, Rochester Animal Services will hold another fee-waived adoption opportunity from noon to 4 p.m. at the Verona Street shelter.

More events are planned for October. On Oct. 11, adoptable dogs will be available at the East Rochester Farmers’ Market from 8 a.m. to noon at 317 Main St. in East Rochester. Rochester Animal Services will also offer fee-waived adoptions at its shelter that day from noon to 4 p.m.

The campaign will continue through Halloween. On Oct. 31, Rochester Animal Services will hold its RAS Halloween Adoption Event from noon to 4 p.m. at 184 Verona St.

The fee waiver applies to all animals eligible for adoption during the listed promotion dates. That includes pets currently staying at the shelter as well as animals living in foster homes.

There is also an option for people interested in a foster animal. If an application is submitted through the city’s pet adoption website on one of the fee-waived adoption days, the adoption fee will still be waived even if the meet-and-greet with the foster animal is scheduled for a different date.

That provision gives potential adopters more flexibility while still allowing them to take advantage of the promotion. It also means that people who find a foster pet they are interested in do not necessarily need to complete the meeting with the animal on the same day they submit their application.

Rochester Animal Services is normally open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Animals available at the shelter can also be adopted without an adoption fee during the designated fee-waived event days.

The Rescue Effect campaign is being supported by the ASPCA, or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The organization says its work is focused on helping animals and reducing suffering.

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The ASPCA works in a number of areas, including disaster response, cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal relocation and placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and support for the sheltering and veterinary communities. It also provides research, training and other resources to animal welfare professionals.

The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and has more than 2 million supporters across the country. Its nationwide Rescue Effect campaign is intended to encourage communities to help shelter animals move into permanent homes.

For Rochester Animal Services, the campaign provides another way to connect adoptable pets with people in the community. The special events also take adoption opportunities outside the shelter, allowing residents to encounter some of the available dogs at familiar community locations.

The timing is especially important for Rochester Animal Services as shelter renovations continue. Finding homes for eligible animals can help reduce pressure on available space and allow the facility to continue caring for animals that need assistance.

Residents interested in adopting are encouraged to review the available animals and learn about the adoption process before visiting. People can also learn more about fostering or volunteering with Rochester Animal Services.

The city provides information about available pets and opportunities to adopt, foster or volunteer through its Rochester Animal Services website. The pet adoption site can also be used to submit an application, including for foster animals when a fee-waived adoption day is taking place.

For people considering bringing a new pet into their household, the upcoming events offer several chances to meet animals and begin the adoption process. The first of the listed September opportunities takes place Wednesday, Sept. 9, with dogs appearing at the Red Wings game and fee-waived adoptions continuing at Rochester Animal Services.

The campaign will then return to the Verona Street shelter later in September before moving into a series of October events, including the East Rochester Farmers’ Market and the Halloween adoption event.

By combining shelter-based adoptions with community events, Rochester Animal Services and the ASPCA are hoping to give more animals a chance to find permanent homes while helping the local shelter manage its ongoing needs.