Adopt Fido, help the shelter

If you’ve been considering adopting a furry family member, there’s no better time than this Saturday, when the Austin Animal Center will be waiving all adoption fees in an effort to find homes for 100 dogs. At the annual Clear the Shelters event, a partnership with KXAN and Telemundo, shelter staffers and volunteers will be on hand to facilitate adoptions and process walk-in foster applications. As shelter chief Don Bland explained in a press release, “This summer we have really struggled with capacity in a new, post-pandemic environment. On Friday we had 61 dogs staying in crates. The dogs keep flowing in and, unfortunately, we’re not getting them out as quickly as they’re coming in. If we can get 100 dogs adopted, fostered or rescued, then we can create needed space and avoid the likelihood of having to suspend intake.” Sixty dogs found their forever homes at the last Clear the Shelters event, which was held before the pandemic in 2019. Adoption program manager Rebekha Montie acknowledged that 100 dogs is a “high goal,” but said the shelter has high hopes that the community will step up. “We have so many dogs and cats just waiting for their forever homes,” she said. Take a look at available pets here. Saturday, Aug. 27, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Austin Animal Center, 7201 Levander Loop.