Snake River Animal Shelter holds campaign for free adoptions
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IDAHO FALLS — The Snake River Animal Shelter in Idaho Falls is partnering with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to push animal adoption.
They are participating in the Rescue Effect campaign hosted by the ASPCA for three months, from August to October. The campaign encourages community members to adopt pets with free adoption days. The event will take place this Friday and Saturday and Oct. 30 and 31.
Sally Solis, Snake River’s development director, gave the reason behind the event.
“When you adopt during this campaign, you’re actually saving two lives: giving one a good home and making room for another one,” Solis said.
The ASPCA provided $2 million dollars in grants to cover adoption fees and operations. According to its website, the length that certain rescues stay without homes has increased in the last five years, and nearly 6 million dogs and cats were housed in shelters in 2025.
“We are thrilled to partner with the ASPCA for this year’s Rescue Effect campaign, and we are incredibly grateful for their generous grant, which directly funds our fee-waived adoption days. Like many shelters nationwide, our kennels are full, but our community has the power to change that!” Snake River Animal Shelter Executive Director Michelle Ziel-Dingman said. “By choosing to adopt during these upcoming weekends, local families aren’t just giving one pet a loving home, they are opening up crucial space and resources so we can save the next animal in need.”
Solis said the $2 million dollar grant is spread through hundreds of shelters.
“Some animals are different prices or were already sponsored by individuals,” she said. “Costs go anywhere from $185 for a puppy down to $95 for a senior dog, while cats and kittens range from $70 to $10. That covers the spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccinations, so when they get their pet, they’re ready to go. We have a full-time vet on staff to get animals spayed and neutered quickly before adoption.”
She said the ASPCA funds these adoption events.
The organization helps participating animal shelters find loving homes for rescues, keep animals housed and free up space for kennels and crates. The Snake River Animal Shelter is participating in this campaign for the third year since opening its doors in August 2015. It offers cats and dogs of all ages and personality types. You can apply to volunteer to keep the animals cared for and shelter clean at its website. Applicants must be 18 or older.
“Keeping pets in loving homes, removing barriers to adoption and helping lost pets return to their families are some of the most effective ways to support animals and reduce pressure on shelters that are already operating at or beyond capacity,” ASPCA president and CEO, Matt Bershadker said on the organization’s website. “By investing in resources that help people care for and keep their pets — and supporting shelters nationwide — we can improve outcomes for animals while strengthening the bond between pets and the families who love them.”
