Free Pet Adoption Fee Waivers This Holiday Season
Chicago and Miami-Dade list holiday fee waivers; check dates, pet age limits, and license charges before you go.
Yes, free pet adoption fee waivers are listed for this holiday season in Chicago and Miami-Dade County, plus reduced-fee events through shelter networks. A fee waiver means the shelter covers the standard adoption charge, while adopters still complete applications and pay any required license or tag charges. According to the Anti-Cruelty Society, its Home for the Holidays promotion waives all adoption fees for all animals from November 24 to December 30, described on the Home for the Holidays promotion page.
According to Miami-Dade County, it waives adoption fees December 1-31 for pets over 4 months old, with dog adopters still paying a $30 license fee, described in the Miami-Dade County December adoption news item.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 04, 2026.
What does Chicago waive?
The Chicago waiver covers all animals during the stated window. The promotion name is Home for the Holidays. Dates are November 24 to December 30.
Adopters still follow the shelter process. That usually means an application, counselor review, and spay or neuter rules. Check the shelter page for hours, available animals, and same-day requirements.
What does Miami-Dade waive?
Miami-Dade waives the adoption fee for pets over 4 months old from December 1 to December 31. Locations include the Pet Adoption and Protection Center and select sites. Dog adoptions still include a $30 license fee.
A separate Miami-Dade Save Charlie Day notice listed fee waivers for pets 4 months and older December 13-15 at 3599 NW 79th Ave in Doral. In that notice, puppies under 4 months were $85 and kittens were $35. Age matters, so confirm the age of the pet before traveling.
How do wider holiday events lower fees?
The BISSELL Pet Foundation ran its Empty the Shelters Holiday Hope event with more than 300 shelters in 44 states December 1-15, 2025. Fees were reduced to $70 or less rather than fully waived. The result was 15,356 cats and dogs adopted in two weeks, reported by the Foundation in the Holiday Hope 2025 results recap.
Other sponsor-supported examples show short full-waiver windows. Hill's Science Diet covered all adoption fees at Humane Society Silicon Valley and Petco San Jose West December 8-14 to mark its 16 millionth adoption. Best Friends Houston's Bring Joy event included waived fees for pre-adoptions December 21-23 at City of Baytown Animal Services, with free home delivery December 24-25.
What costs and rules still apply?
A waived fee does not remove screening. Shelters still approve adopters, require identification, and enforce spay or neuter terms. License, tag, and select-site conditions can also apply.
Young animals often have different prices. Miami-Dade's notices keep full or separate fees for puppies and kittens under 4 months. Always confirm these points before visiting:
- eligible ages, species, and locations
- date window and daily hours
- license, tag, or medical charges still due
- application, home-check, and pickup rules