Humane Society of Harford County Reducing Pet Adoption Fees July 5-19

The Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC) is teaming up with the BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending pet homelessness, for the summer Empty the Shelters adoption extravaganza from July 5-19, 2025. HSHC will participate alongside 300+ shelters across 40 states and is offering significantly reduced adoption fees of just $50 per dog and $20 per cat. Animals eligible for the promotion must be at least 1 year old, and the reduced adoption fee includes the spay or neuter procedure, all appropriate vaccinations and testing for communicable diseases, de-wormer, flea & tick preventative, a microchip, a free sample bag of pet food, and a general exam.

“Shelters across the country are once again at a breaking point. They are facing record intakes and limited space. Too often, loving, healthy pets are at risk, but our communities hold the key to their future,” said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “Our Summer National Empty the Shelters is more than an adoption event—it’s a movement to support local shelters and save lives together. It's an opportunity to change a pet’s life, and your own. Together, we can give every pet the future they deserve.”

During the 14-day mega adoption event, HSHC will be open weekdays from 11AM-6PM and weekends from 10AM-5PM at 2208 Connolly Road in Fallston. Although adoption fees are reduced, regular adoption procedures apply.

“This spring during the last Empty the Shelters, 25 cats and 16 dogs were adopted in a little over 2 weeks,” said Amanda Hickman, HSHC’s executive director. “Our team is excited to welcome visitors to the shelter, introduce them to the animals, and help them take home their next new family member.”

Since its inception in 2016, Empty the Shelters has helped more than 324,000 pets find loving homes and is now the largest funded adoption event in the country. The program partners with more than 815 animal welfare organizations across 49 states and Canada.

Visit harfordshelter.org/animals to view all the adoptable pets and learn more.