Cincinnati Animal CARE (CAC) will hold their first-ever completely free adoption event this weekend to combat shelter overcrowding. The two shelter locations are already at capacity going into this holiday weekend, with 477 dogs and 283 cats distributed between CAC facilities and foster homes.
According to CAC, the week of Fourth of July is one of the busiest stray intake weeks of the entire year, and June already saw the highest monthly intake so far in 2025 at 460 dogs.
Fireworks can quickly turn beloved pets into missing strays, according to UrgentVet.
“The loud fireworks, bustling crowds and unfamiliar noises can easily spook even the calmest pets, leading them to bolt in fear,” advised UrgentVet.
All of these missing pets need space at CAC while they await reunification with their families, so the shelter has teamed up with Cincy Property Twins to waive all pet adoption fees for CAC animals on Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6. Dogs can be found at the 3949 Colerain Ave. location while both cats and dogs can be found at the 4210 Dane Ave. location. The adoption event runs from 1-6 p.m. both days.
Typically, dog adoption fees range from $0 to $200 and cat adoption fees range from $0 to $60. This is the first time CAC has waived fees for all animals, including puppies and kittens.
“This is an unprecedented event for our shelter,” said Meaghan Colville, shelter director at CAC. “Thanks to the Cincy Property Twins, we’re able to remove every financial barrier to adoption and place as many animals in loving homes as possible—right when we need it most.”
People who adopt, foster, volunteer or donate to CAC from now till Sunday will have the opportunity to enter into a raffle to win two tickets to the advanced screening of the new Superman: Legacy movie at the Cincinnati Museum Center on July 8.
There are other ways to be a shelter hero for those who want to help but don’t have the means to adopt. Fostering a shelter animal is a lower commitment option, and CAC will provide the food, medical care and toys. Donations can help provide treats, beds and medical care to shelter animals.
For people who find strays in their neighborhood this weekend, CAC urges them to follow CARE’s Close to Home recommendations and help pets find home without bringing them to the shelter, freeing up space for others in need.
“Whether you’re looking for a super-powered snuggler, a pint-sized protector, or a brave new best friend, every adoption helps us save the next life waiting at our door,” CAC said on their website. “From adult dogs and cats to tiny kittens and playful pups—your future sidekick is waiting.”
This article appears in Jun 25 – Jul 8, 2025.
