A Sacramento animal shelter is at ‘critical capacity.’ How to adopt a new pet for free

Sacramento’s Front Street Animal Shelter announced it is waiving its adoption fees due to a recent influx of stray cats and dogs.

The shelter is offering free pet adoptions until Friday, June 10, said spokesman Ryan Hinderman.

“This time of year we typically tend to get very full for whatever reason, and our kennels reached critical capacity,” Hinderman said. “And one way to help get animals out of the shelter is to do adoption programs.”

The shelter tends to receive the most adoptions from mid June to early July in part because it’s “kitten season,” and Sacramentans may be finding more strays. Hinderman said Fourth of July fireworks also play a role.

The program applies to all cat and dog adoptions. Fees to adopt kittens, puppies and dogs at the shelter typically range from $100 to $150. The fee for adult cats is usually $5.

New owners will still have to pay for surgeries and any other medical bills associated with the health of their pet.

Hinderman recommends people who have recently lost a pet to check local shelters around the area. It may take several weeks for a pet to turn up at a shelter and reunite with its owner.

A list of all animals available to adopt is on the shelter’s website. Front Street is located at 2127 Front Street and is open daily from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome.

Here a few dogs and cats up for adoption:

• Marshall is a neutered, German Shepherd dog, who is about 10 years old and has a “lot of spunk.” He loves people and likes to go on walks.

• Scar is a neutered Siberian Husky who has been at the shelter since the end of May. He is about 8 years old.

• Pearl is a spayed, Staffordshire Bull Terrier who is about 6 years old. She loves to show off her “pearly whites,” which is how she got her name.

• Hope is an “easygoing and sweet” cat. She gets along well with other animals and wears a diaper due to a pelvic injury that prevents her from using a litter box.

The shelter is also offering free adoptions for all of its small animals, including guinea pigs, rabbits, mice and hamsters this week.