ARLINGTON, TX — With every kennel at capacity and the shelter operating at 130%, Arlington Animal Services is launching a special $5 pet adoption event running June 9–14, 2025. The temporary initiative aims to ease overcrowding by placing more cats and dogs into permanent, loving homes.
“Every adoption, rescue, or foster placement directly contributes to saving a life,” said Arlington Animal Services Manager Ashley Woolnough. “We are urging the community to step in—without immediate action, the situation will become even more dire.”
The shelter, located at 1000 SE Green Oaks Blvd., is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the second Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The facility is closed Sundays.
What’s Included in the $5 Special
Adoption fees, normally $90 for cats and $100 for dogs, are reduced to $5 during the event. This fee includes:
- Spay/neuter surgery
- Microchip
- Vaccinations
- Arlington city license (for residents)
- Heartworm testing (dogs) or FIV/FELV testing (cats)
Foster and rescue support is also available. Rescue organizations are encouraged to help transfer animals, and foster homes—even short-term—can dramatically reduce stress for animals awaiting adoption. The shelter provides all supplies for foster care.
Other Texas Cities Join Push to Increase Adoptions
Arlington’s efforts echo a broader, statewide movement to prevent animal euthanasia through adoption and rescue incentives.
In Houston, BARC Animal Shelter is offering free adoptions through June, in celebration of Pride Month. Standard fees typically range from $20 to $75, but waived fees are currently helping the shelter offset an intake spike of nearly 2,000 animals compared to last year. Located at 3300 Carr St., BARC is open Tuesday through Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Harris County Pets, at 612 Canino Rd., is allowing adopters to “name your price” during June, with all services—including sterilization, vaccinations, and microchipping—still included.
In San Antonio and Austin, shelters like Austin Pets Alive! and San Antonio Animal Care Services continue to offer routine adoption specials. Austin leads the way with a 95% save rate, placing it among the highest in the nation.
Texas Leads the Nation in Shelter Euthanasia
Despite these local efforts, Texas continues to have the highest shelter pet euthanasia rate in the country. In 2018 alone, over 114,000 cats and dogs were euthanized statewide. Between 2020 and 2021, that number was nearly 61,245. While Austin, San Antonio, and Houston are seeing improvements—each reporting save rates over 80%—many shelters still struggle to reach the 90% threshold considered the benchmark for “no-kill” status.
Cities like McAllen and Abilene have embraced progressive programs to push save rates near 90%. However, Odessa lags significantly, reporting just a 38% save rate in 2023.
How to Help
Texans can make a difference by:
- Adopting or fostering from local shelters
- Volunteering for animal care and adoption events
- Donating to support spay/neuter programs, medical care, or shelter supplies
- Purchasing specialty license plates—such as the “Spay, Neuter, & Adopt” plate—$22 of which goes directly to funding spay/neuter efforts across the state
Visit or Contact Local Shelters
- Arlington Animal Services: 1000 SE Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington, TX 76018
- BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions: 3300 Carr St., Houston, TX 77026
- Harris County Pets: 612 Canino Rd., Houston, TX
Stay informed by following your local shelter on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
With thousands of adoptable animals waiting, now is the time to make a life-saving decision—and find a loyal friend in the process.
