Humane Society participates in reduced fees event

A local animal shelter will temporarily offer lower adoption fees in early December.

The Bartholomew County Humane Society Animal Shelter will offer reduced fees from Dec. 1 through 11 through its participation in the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope” event.

“We will be offering dogs and cats for adoption at a reduced rate of $50 each,” said shelter director Kirsten VantWoud. “We are grateful to the Bissell Foundation for reimbursing our shelter for some of the lost revenue but both organizations are committed to placing shelter pets into loving homes so it’s all about the adoptions!”

The shelter’s normal adoption fees are $120 for dogs and $80 for cats.

The easiest way to set up an appointment at the shelter is to fill out an adoption application at bartholomewhumane.org. Staff will then contact the applicant to set up a time for them to come to the shelter and look at the animals.

Information about available dogs and cats can be viewed on the same website.

Appointments can also be made by emailing [email protected]. Individuals without access to internet can set up an appointment by calling 812-372-6063 and fill out an application at the shelter.

The local shelter is one of over 275 organizations in 43 states that are participating in the latest Empty the Shelters event.

“Shelters are overcrowded and in desperate need of support due to slowed adoption rates and increased length of stay for pets,” said Cathy Bissell, founder of Bissell Pet Foundation. “With so many people seeking to add pets to their family around this time of year, our ‘Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope’ event is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in your community by saving a life and creating space to give another homeless pet a chance.”

However, foundation officials added that while pets “can feel like a gift in terms of the joy they bring to life,” adopting an animal during the holidays is a long-term commitment.