More than 150 California animal shelters to offer fee-waived adoptions on June 7, 2025, most covered by the ASPCA, with the goal to find loving homes for 5,000 pets
On Saturday, June 7, Woods Humane Society’s San Luis Obispo and Atascadero shelter locations will join more than 150 California animal shelters in holding fee-waived adoption events as part of the second annual California Adopt-a-Pet Day, hosted by the California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals), the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA), and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®).
The inaugural California Adopt-a-Pet Day event last year was a huge success, with 3,609 animals being adopted in one day across the state—far outpacing the goal of 2,024 adoptions. Event organizers have raised the bar for 2025, with a more than doubled new goal of finding loving homes for 5,000 dogs, cats, horses, and other small animals.
“While California shelters remain full of an exceptional variety of healthy adoptable pets, we acknowledge that most people continue to acquire their pets from other sources,” said Jill Tucker, CEO of CalAnimals. “This event celebrates the amazing animals in our care by offering fee-waived adoptions and extensive advertising to encourage people to visit our shelters. There has never been a better time or better selection of incredible animals ready for new homes, and we look forward to many happy adoptions on June 7th.”
CalAnimals states that adopting a pet from your local animal shelter has many benefits as shelters, like Woods Humane Society, routinely vaccinate, spay/neuter, and microchip animals before they are adopted. As a result, adopting means families and individuals are getting a pet who has already received initial medical care that is appropriate for their species, and the staff at the shelter will also ensure you are matched with an animal who is the right fit for your lifestyle.
According to event organizers, in 2024, 5.8 million dogs and cats entered animal shelters and rescue organizations across the country, many staying longer in their care due to a nationwide shortage of veterinary professionals, a lack of pet-friendly housing, and a lack of access to affordable veterinary care, among other factors. Only about 30 percent of households are choosing to adopt their pets from shelters or rescue organizations with the rest acquiring animals from other sources.
“With a shelter full of animals of all ages and types in need of homes, we are excited and grateful to help pets find their families faster by participating in California Adopt-a-Pet Day,” says Woods CEO Emily L’Heureux. “This powerful one-day effort will make a huge difference to deserving animals across the state and open up space for the many more in need of our shelter services.”
To view animals available for adoption, visit www.WoodsHumaneSociety.org/adoptions. Woods Humane Society is located at 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 and at 2300 Ramona Rd., Atascadero, CA 93422, and is open to the public daily from 12-5 p.m., with adoption hours from 12-4 p.m. For more information about Woods, visit www.WoodsHumane.org or call (805) 543-9316.
About Woods Humane Society
Founded in 1955, Woods Humane Society is a privately funded, non‐profit, animal sheltering and welfare organization that annually places up to 3,000 dogs and cats into loving homes. All animals are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped prior to being placed for adoption. To adopt, visit Woods Humane Society SLO, located at 875 Oklahoma Avenue in San Luis Obispo and at 2300 Ramona Road in Atascadero. For more information about adopting, donating or other programs, visit www.woodshumane.org or call (805) 543-9316 or (805) 466-5403.
About the California Animal Welfare Association
The California Animal Welfare Association ("CalAnimals") formed in 2018 through a merger between California's two statewide animal-welfare associations: California Animal Control Directors Association (CACDA) and State Humane Association of California (SHAC). The organization exists to support the success of animal welfare and sheltering organizations in meeting the needs of animals and people in their communities. Programs and activities include trainings, conferences, certifications, disaster response, leadership development, legislative advocacy and more. Interested in learning more about the California Animal Welfare Association? Visit www.calanimals.org.
About the San Francisco SPCA
The San Francisco SPCA is an independent, community-supported, nonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to saving, protecting, and providing immediate care for cats and dogs who are homeless, ill or in need of an advocate. The SF SPCA also works long-term to educate the community, reduce the number of unwanted kittens and puppies through spaying and neutering, and improve the quality of life for animals and their human companions. The organization does not receive government funding. For more information, visit sfspca.org.
About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first animal welfare organization to be established in North America and today serves as the nation’s leading voice for vulnerable and victimized animals. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA assists animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. For more information, visit www.ASPCA.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.
