The Lawrence Humane Society’s annual Clear the Shelter Day is turning into a weekendlong bonanza to help all of the shelter pets find their people.
Elina Alterman, chief development officer at the shelter, said staff cry every year because animals who they know are wonderful finally get their time in the spotlight.
“Every year, there’s multiple animals, you know, who have been there a long time, who’ve had a hard time, you know, finding the right home,” she said.
Typically, it costs $150 to adopt adult dogs from the shelter, $300 for puppies, $60 for adult cats and $125 for kittens. But for three days this year, no animal — from dogs to cats to rabbits to guinea pigs — will have an adoption fee.
Alterman said there’s a misconception that people won’t care for their pets if they’re free to adopt, but she said there’s no difference in rate of return between fee-waived events and regular adoption days.
“We get updates on so many animals who get adopted either during Clear the Shelter or a different adoption event, and people adore these animals,” she said.
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When and where to meet your new best friend
Here are the dates and times for Clear the Shelter weekend, which will take place at LHS, 1805 E. 19th St.:
• Noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29
• Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30
Alterman said that Saturday will be the “crescendo” day, full of local businesses and vendors.
That day, adopters will get leashes, dog collars and cat carriers for free. Friday and Sunday adopters, as usual, need to come ready with those supplies or buy them at the LHS retail store.
Every adopter will leave with a New Pet Parent Kit, including a sample bag of Hill’s Science Diet food. The company sponsors the event each year.
Alterman said animals in foster care will be making visits to the shelter over the course of the weekend to meet adopters. All adoptable animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.
These dogs and cats have waived fees now
Some furballs might struggle more on the adoption floor because they might get overstimulated or stressed by all of the traffic and noise of Clear the Shelter.
Shelter staff have identified 15 of those more bashful babies, including one bonded pair, and their fees are waived before Clear the Shelter festivities kick off.
People can meet pets living at the shelter by going straight there. The Humane Society is open to potential adopters from noon to 6 p.m. every day. Folks can also schedule an appointment to meet a pet by emailing the adoptions team at [email protected] or calling 785-843-6835.
Adopters need to call or email to schedule appointments to see any pets in foster care.
Follow this page to see which animals are still available for adoption.
Bo and Charli
• Male and female 11-year-old American pit bull mixes
• Can live with cats and kids, but not other dogs
• Don’t need to be kenneled
• In foster care
These past Pet of the Week stars are two peas in an inseparable pod. As littermates, Bo and Charli have been together since birth. They’re darlings with all people, including young kids, and they love to linger around their person.
These two will be at CTS on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Houston
• Male, 2-year-old Cane Corso mix
• Can live with dogs and older kids and teens; staff unsure about cats
• Doesn’t need to be kenneled
• In foster care
Houston is a bit of a Rapunzel who loves to be brushed and pet. A volunteer said he is a “gentle giant” with a happy personality. He also has a permanent limp due to a car accident. “But he doesn’t let that slow him down and can run, play, and keep up with all other dogs!” according to shelter staff.
He will be at CTS on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Snuggie
• Female, 1 1/2-year-old terrier mix
• Can live with dogs and older kids and teens; staff unsure about cats
• Working on kennel training
• In foster care
Snuggie may not love peanut butter, but she is cuckoo for carrots, cheese, ice cubes, hard bones and roll hides. This girl’s got her baby teeth and likes to gnaw, which translates to being trainable and treat-motivated. “She will snort and trot around, and roll on her back, and make you laugh,” her foster parent said.
Snuggie will not be at LHS for Clear the Shelter.
Queen
• Female, 11-year-old tan and white American Bulldog mix
• Can live with dogs, cats and kids
• Doesn’t need to be kenneled
• In foster care
Queen is active for her age: she loves long walks, new places to explore, chasing tennis balls and the occasional run. She’s also the “sweetest girl and biggest cuddle bug,” according to her foster.
Queen will be at CTS on Saturday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 30.
Lacey
• Female, 2-year-old pit bull terrier mix
• Needs to meet potential canine siblings; staff unsure about cats and kids
• Staff unsure about kennel training
• At the shelter
The word “stranger” means nothing to Lacey who thinks every person is her friend — and every person should be, since she’s a sweet, eager gal. Lacey likes trotting around with a stuffie in her mouth and is treat-motivated. She can get a little too excited and jump because she’s a young dog with age-appropriate energy lacking a good outlet. Volunteers describe her as strong and sweet.
Lacey will be at CTS all three days.
Penny
• Female, 2-year-old pit bull terrier mix
• Can live with dogs and kids but not cats
• Staff unsure about kennel training
• At the shelter
Penny is a lover of humankind and caninekind alike. She adores outings — even errands — and volunteers say she’s a sassy goofball. She had one leg amputated because of an injury, but a volunteer said that never stops her from some fun.
Penny will be at CTS all three days.
Bolt
• Male, 1 1/2-year-old mixed terrier
• Can live with dogs, cats and kids
• Not kennel-trained
• In foster care
When folks say dogs are a person’s best friend, they’re thinking of a pup like Bolt, who’s intelligent, curious and loyal. He might be tempted to do some counter-surfing, but he also channels that playful energy into fetch and fun with kiddos.
Bolt will be at CTS on Saturday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 30.
Lady
• Female, 3-year-old pit bull terrier mix
• Needs to meet potential canine siblings and can’t live with cats; staff unsure about kids
• House-trained as long as someone is home with her but not kennel-trained
• At the shelter
Volunteers describe Lady as mellow, goofy, affectionate, playful and curious. She’s a cuddly foodie who’s down from anything from a run to a stroll to a snuggle. She wants to be glued to her people, which can lead to a little separation anxiety. Staff think she’d do best with someone who works from home or can bring their dog to work, or a multigenerational family where there’s often someone around.
Lady will be at CTS all three days.
Peppermint
• Male, 4-year-old domestic medium-hair cat
• Can live with kids but not dogs or cats
• In foster care
Staff describe Peppermint as a “people-cat” who loves to be held like a baby, and a volunteer said he’s a “sweet love.” He will endearingly pilfer his human’s food and stick close to keep an eye on them during the day, but still loves his alone time. “Once he feels comfortable, his playful, curious, vocal personality comes out,” shelter staff said.
Peppermint will not be at CTS.
El Tapo
• Male, 3-year-old tabby domestic shorthair cat
• Can live with cats but staff unsure about dogs or kids
• In foster care
Playtime is serious business for El Tapo, as is dinner time, when he starts making biscuits before he’s even cleared out his bowl. He likes to be the tell-tale lump under rugs and in cat tunnels, and even though he’s not huge on cuddles, he likes to curl up near his human’s legs at night.
El Tapo will not be at CTS.
Simba
• Male, 5-year-old tabby domestic shorthair cat
• Staff unsure if he can live with dogs, cats or kids
• In foster care
Simba can be a bit skittish but has proven to be a complete sweetheart as he opens up — he can even get a little clingy and vocal. Staff say he’s big on exploration and needs places to hide undisturbed.
Simba will not be at CTS.
Graycie
• Female, 3-year-old tabby domestic medium-hair cat
• Can live with dogs but not cats; staff unsure about kids
• In foster care
Graycie, the inaugural feline star of Pet of the Week, loves to survey her kingdom from on high. She loves playing with cotton ball toys when she gets zoomies and snacking on Churru. Her foster parent describes her as a “darn good cat.”
Graycie will not be at CTS.
Selene
• Female, 2-year-old tabby domestic shorthair cat
• Staff unsure if she can live with dogs, cats or kids
• In foster care
Selene’s foster parent said, given the right, gentle environment, she will be someone’s best friend. “She loves pets and treats and will make soft biscuits next to me when I’m spending time with them in the room,” the foster parent said.
Selene will not be at CTS.
Azula
• Female, 3-year-old calico domestic shorthair cat
• Can live with kids but not cats; staff unsure about dogs
• At the shelter
Azula, just like her namesake, is full of royal confidence and has a dramatic personality. Her foster parent said she alternates between acting like a graceful queen and a tiny, furry rocket. “If you’ve ever wanted to live with a tiny queen, Azula is ready to accept your application,” the foster said. Azula is confident, curious, sweet and funny. “If you’re looking for a cat with a big personality, a soft heart, and enough charm to rule the house, Queen Azula is ready to meet her forever family,” the foster said.
Azula will not be at CTS.
People can also go straight to the shelter at 1805 E. 19th St. to meet animals who are there. The Humane Society is open to potential adopters from noon to 6 p.m. every day. People can also sign up for the Mass Street Mutts program to get to a know a dog before adopting.
To schedule an appointment to meet a shelter pet or any of the pets in foster care, people can email the Lawrence Humane Society’s adoptions team at [email protected] or call 785-843-6835.
Potential foster parents can email the Foster Coordinator at [email protected] and fill out an application here. The Lawrence Humane Society provides foster parents with all necessary supplies and food, and they cover bills for medical care, behavioral support and more.
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Wulfe Wulfemeyer (they/them), reporter and news editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since May 2025. They can be reached at [email protected].
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More Pets of the Week:
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Meet bashful babies with fee-waived adoptions before Clear the Shelter weekend
Latest Lawrence news:
Lawrence Humane Pet of the Week: Meet bashful babies with fee-waived adoptions before Clear the Shelter weekend
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
