MCACC Partners With Best Friends Animal Society For National Adoption Weekend

Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (MCACC), a municipal animal shelter committed to finding good outcomes for lost, surrendered, and stray dogs and cats, and Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to save the lives of cats and dogs in America’s shelters by 2025, are teaming up for another adoption campaign to encourage people to choose to adopt, not buy, their next pet.

“Our shelter locations have been at critical capacity for months. This weekend, September 16th-18th, adoption fees for animals 5 months and older are sponsored through Best Friends Animal Society. We hope members of the community consider adopting a shelter dog or cat. Not only can they be great pets, but it will also help free up kennel space for animals coming into our shelters as they wait for their forever home,” said Kim Powell at MCACC.

MCACC is open M-F 12-6pm and Saturday and Sunday 12-5pm. Adoption fees include spay/neuter, vaccinations, flea/tick treatment, rabies vaccination and county dog license/tag. Click here to view adoptable pets.


Recent data released by Best Friends showed that U.S. shelters were seeing an increase in animal intakes and a decrease in pet adoptions from shelters. This has steadily turned into a crisis in the animal welfare community, where many shelters are over capacity. Since the start of September, MCACC has taken in more than 600 animals, which includes both owner surrenders and strays. In that same time frame, there have been less than 360 adoptions.

Anyone considering adding a new pet to their family can make a difference by choosing to adopt instead of purchasing their pet.

“There is a growing shelter crisis across the country and the animal welfare community won’t just sit by and let innocent pets die,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. “In fact, it’s quite the opposite. We’re joining forces with our vast network of shelters and rescues across the country to host our third National Adoption Weekend since May to incentivize people to get out and adopt.”

MCACC and municipal shelters across the country face many challenges, including staffing and volunteer shortages, at a time when more people are surrendering pets. That makes these adoption events more important than ever.

“We have proof that national promotions like the first two adoption weekends we did in May and July work,” said Castle. “Our July National Adoption Weekend saw close to 10,000 animals adopted in a three-day period.”

That’s why MCACC is compelled to be a part of the upcoming National Adoption Weekend. “When we’re at critical capacity, that means some dogs have to share a kennel space or kennels are split in half to add space. It also means difficult decisions need to be made. This is not ideal for anyone,” said Powell. “If you’re not ready to adopt, fostering an animal is a great option and can make a big difference in helping that pet and MCACC.”

For more information, visit pets.maricopa.gov.