SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) — If you’re looking to add a dog to your family, now might be the time. The Dakin Humane Society in Springfield is currently participating in a week-long event to place certain dogs into loving families and homes.

Meet Cinderella, a dog currently housed at the Dakin Animal Shelter looking for a beautiful home with a loving family. Later this week, she could get just that, thanks to the no-fee dog adoption currently underway.

“We believe that some people are hesitant to adopt animals because of the economic situation. There’s the cost of food and the cost of veterinary care. We want to say thank you to people who are choosing to adopt now, and that’s exactly what one of these fee-free adoption events does,” said Stacey Price, director of development and marketing for the Dakin Humane Society.

Dakin is a partner in the event, which is run by the Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support Coalition, which in turn was created by the MSPCA. Across Massachusetts, partner shelters try to help dogs that are a year old or older, and those who adopt these eligible pups are given a fee waiver. It’s a moment that brings up a lot of emotion for both the shelters and those who want a pet in their lives.

“We’re nervous because we’re wondering, ‘Is this going to be a match or not?’ Because it has to be a match for both the human and the animal, but that quickly turns into joy,” Price added.

It’s the second month in a row that such an event is being held. Last year’s dog adoption drive resulted in a total of 157 dogs being adopted for the coalition, including 21 from Dakin. So far this month’s drive has resulted in a total of 21 adoptions, six of which were from the Springfield shelter. Price told Western Mass News that this opportunity is important.

“For every animal that finds a home, another space becomes available in our shelter to take in another animal. We can accommodate a person who needs to surrender their animal, we can help our local partners take in animals, or we can even help our national partners who are experiencing an overpopulation crisis right now,” Price noted.

While cute puppies like Cinderella wait to find out who they will go home with, Price is asking the animal-loving public for help.

“If you want to adopt an animal, now is the time, whether you want to adopt a dog this week or a cat next week,” Price said.

The no-fee dog adoption event ends Saturday. The coalition is also hosting a no-fee cat adoption event starting Monday, August 26. Dakin is involved and will begin the event the very next day.

To find out which dogs are available for adoption at Dakin, CLICK HERE.

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