The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is cutting its adoption fees by half this holiday season, driven by a continued surge in homeless pets after the COVID-19 pandemic.
From now until Jan. 3, puppies under 6 months old are $105, adult dogs are $75, kittens are $60, adult cats are $50, and rabbits are $35. The cost covers vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, and a microchip.
As of Dec. 24, there were 24 dogs, 56 cats, and 14 rabbits at the shelter, along with three roosters, a parakeet and a turtle. That includes Max, a fluffy Great Pyrenees who loves riding in the car and gets along well with other dogs. Jaspurr, a grey-and-white cat who the shelter staff say is not just adventurous but loves to “lead the parade.” And Squirt, a turtle who — though not native to the area — was found abandoned in a local pond.
“Our numbers have remained high, and our staff is tired — and most importantly, we want our animals to have loving homes,” said Amber Rowland, the shelter’s manager. “We decided to do half-price adoptions because the shelter is more full than it ever has been this year.”
The shelter is located at 1001 Rodriguez Street and is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., aside from Christmas and New Year’s Day.
