ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - June 7 is California Adopt-a-Pet Day, where participating animal shelters across the state waive adoption fees to help pets in need of a home find their forever family.

The annual Adopt-a-Pet Day state-wide event is a joint effort between animal welfare groups such as CalAnimals, the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

This is the event's second year and two locations in Elk Grove will take part in the special free adoption event for pets on Saturday, June 7.

The first location that residents can adopt a pet at is the Elk Grove Animal Services at 9150 Union Park Way. The PetSmart at 8215 Laguna Blvd. is the second location participating in this event.

According to Elk Grove Animal Services manager Sarah Humlie, adoption fees will be completely covered the day of the event, thanks to the sponsorship and grants provided by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and CalAnimals.

Usually, the cost of adoption fees varies, depending on the animal’s species and age, said Humlie. 

The cost to adopt an adult cat is about $40 and a kitten is $75. Adopting a large dog can cost up to $100, while puppies and small dogs are $150.

Humlie said that approximately 50 cats and kittens, more than 30 dogs, and rabbits, guinea pigs and turtles will be up for adoption at Elk Grove Animal Services on Adopt-a-Pet Day.

Some of the animals that the shelter hopes receives a forever home during this event includes an “XL” duck, a 5-year-old Akita/Shepherd mix who has been in need of a home for more than a year (gets along with other dogs) and a 4-year-old Siberian Husky, Big Earl, who Humlie said “refuses to let his ‘tripod’ status slow him down.” 

“Adopting a pet can bring a new level of joy and love to your family. During the Adopt-A-Pet event, you can bring home a new pet who is microchipped, spayed or neutered and vaccinated for free,” said Humlie. “The shelter also offers lots of adopter support to help you choose an animal who will be a good fit for your family and provide advice on how to help them settle into their new home and successfully integrate to the household.”

There will be community vendors and snacks available on-site at the Elk Grove Animal Services location, which makes this event a fun-time for the whole family.

Adoptions will start at noon at both locations. The PetSmart location will end adoptions at 4 p.m. 

Elk Grove Animal Services will have adoptions until 6 p.m., with the last adoptions started by 5:30 p.m.

To learn more about Adopt-a-Pet Day, visit online caadoptapetday.org. For those interested in checking out the animals currently up for adoption at Elk Grove Animal Services, visit online elkgrove.gov/departments-and-divisions/animal-services.