Woods Humane Society on Saturday, June 6 will join animal shelters across California in offering fee-waived adoptions as part of the third annual California Adopt-a-Pet Day.
Adopt-a-Pet Day is hosted by the California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals); San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA); and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
“We are thrilled to be a part of this important awareness and adoption event that will help bring much-needed attention to homeless pets across the state,” said Emily L’Heureux, Woods CEO.
“Woods Humane Society has seen enormous success in placing animals in loving homes during the past two years of this event, and we can’t wait to see the impact we can have this year with our community’s support,” she said.
The third annual California Adopt-a-Pet Day builds on two consecutive years of record-breaking results.
When the event opened in 2024, 3,609 animals found homes in a single day, far exceeding its initial goals. In 2025, 148 animal welfare organizations across 212 event locations helped find homes for 4,979 pets.
This year, organizers aim to surpass 5,000 adoptions for the first time. To date, the event has placed 8,588 animals in homes over its first two years.
The ASPCA is providing grants to underwrite adoption fees at most participating organizations including Woods Humane Society and shelters across the state. In 2025, 46 percent of California Adopt-a-Pet Day adopters were doing so for the first time.
On June 6, Woods Humane Society will be joined by fellow Central Coast shelters participating in California Adopt-a-Pet Day, including Santa Barbara County Animal Services, Santa Barbara Humane, Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/D.A.W.G., and San Luis Obispo County Animal Services.
Together, these organizations will be offering fee-waived adoptions as part of this coordinated, statewide effort.
Animals of all breeds, ages, sizes, and energy levels are available at participating shelters. Most shelter animals are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before adoption.
Shelter staff will help ensure adopters are matched with an animal who is the right fit for their lifestyle.
The event comes as animal shelters across California continue to face capacity pressures. In 2025, 5.8 million dogs and cats entered U.S. animal shelters and rescue organizations nationwide, according to reports.
Only about 30 percent of California households currently adopt their pets from shelters or rescue organizations, Woods Humane said.
California Adopt-a-Pet Day was created in part to address these challenges, removing cost as a barrier to adoption and connecting more animals with loving homes.
Woods Humane Society is at 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo and 2300 Ramona Road., Atascadero. For more, visit www.WoodsHumane.org or call 805-543-9316.
To learn more about California Adopt-a-Pet Day, visit adoptapetday.org and follow along using #CAAdoptAPetDay on social media.