FAIRHOPE, Ala.— The Haven has announced its participation in the ASPCA’s Rescue Effect campaign, joining hundreds of animal shelters and rescue organizations across the country working to increase pet adoptions and place more animals into loving homes.

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from the ASPCA, The Haven will waive adoption fees for eligible cats and dogs ages 6 months and older during three special promotional periods:

August 1–15, 2026

September 5–19, 2026

October 3–17, 2026

The Haven’s goal is to place 51 adult cats and dogs in loving homes during the campaign.

Throughout each promotional period, the regular $150 adoption fee for adult cats and $200 adoption fee for adult dogs will be waived. The Haven’s standard adoption application and approval process will remain in place to help ensure each animal is matched with the right family.

Like many animal shelters across the country, The Haven has seen families face increasing financial pressures, including the rising cost of veterinary care. The ASPCA’s grant funding allows The Haven to remove the adoption fee as one potential barrier for families who are ready to welcome a pet into their homes.

Most shelters across the country are at capacity, with nearly six million dogs and cats entering shelters and rescues in 2025. Choosing to adopt helps the animal going to a new home while also freeing space, staff time and other resources that can be used to care for the next homeless pet in need.

"Removing the adoption fee removes one financial barrier—not our commitment to making the right match," said Michael Graham, Executive Director of The Haven. "Every adopter is thoughtfully screened because successful adoptions aren't measured by adoption fees; they're measured by lasting bonds between pets and the families who love them. Every adoption transforms the life of a deserving pet while creating space, time, and resources to help the next homeless animal in need. We're incredibly grateful to the ASPCA for investing in our community and helping more homeless pets find the loving homes they deserve."

Launching this month and continuing through October, The Rescue Effect is the ASPCA’s national campaign dedicated to helping animal welfare organizations increase adoptions and engage their communities. This year, the ASPCA is once again providing $2 million in grants to cover adoption fees and support operations at participating shelters and rescue groups across the country, including organizations holding fee-waived adoption events.

Community members interested in adopting are encouraged to view The Haven’s available pets and complete the standard adoption application. For more information about The Haven and the Rescue Effect promotion, visit www.havenforanimals.org.  To learn more about the ASPCA’s Rescue Effect campaign, visit www.aspca.org/therescueeffect.

About Haven for Animals

Founded in 2000, The Haven is Baldwin County’s first no-kill animal shelter and a leader in lifesaving animal welfare along the Gulf Coast. The Haven is committed to achieving and sustaining no-kill through a comprehensive, community-based approach that focuses on keeping pets in homes and out of shelters whenever possible. Through its partnerships with municipalities and programs like Project PAWS and Fix’n Ferals, The Haven is expanding access to affordable veterinary care, reducing pet overpopulation, and increasing live outcomes. Together with community partners and supporters, The Haven is working to ensure every healthy and treatable pet has the opportunity for a safe, loving home. Learn more at www.havenforanimals.org.

About The ASPCA®

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) believes every animal deserves to live free from suffering. For 160 years, the ASPCA has been on the frontlines to save, transform and protect millions of lives in the fight against animal cruelty. As the nation’s first and leading animal welfare organization, the ASPCA assists animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal relocation and placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary communities through research, training and resources. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than 2 million supporters nationwide, its commitment to eliminating animal cruelty is unwavering. For more information, visit aspca.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.