Adopting a shelter pet is an act that changes two lives. It’s not just the pet’s life that gets better; yours does too. Yet around the world, millions of pets are still waiting in shelters for the chance to find a loving home and the opportunity to bring joy, comfort and connection to a human’s life too. For the last 17 years in the U.S. and since 2024 globally, during its annual Mars Global Adoption Weekend, Mars has strived to provide that chance for as many pets and people as possible, a mission that has never been more vital.

For the second year in a row, Mars Global Adoption Weekend is activating globally, and it’s bigger than ever. Across a record 27 countries, Mars will bring people and pets together through volunteerism, adoption and awareness-driven activities. Mars Global Adoption Weekend reinforces Mars’ ongoing commitment to ending pet homelessness and championing a more pet-friendly society — ultimately showing that people and pets are better together, and is aligned with our purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS which in turn is a better world for people.

 

For the 17th year in the United States, Mars and its family of pet care brands, including IAMS™, PEDIGREE®, CESAR®, SHEBA® and Royal Canin® as well as Adopt A Shelter Plus, its comprehensive support program for shelters and adopters, and PEDIGREE Foundation, are supporting adoption and fostering for thousands of pets as part of its annual Mars Global Adoption Weekend.

 

On October 3-5, Mars and its family of pet care brands, and Adopt A Shelter Plus, will provide more than $185,000 in cat and dog adoption fees at 23 partner shelter locations in 21 U.S. cities. On top of that, PEDIGREE Foundation will cover an additional $25,000 in dog adoption fees across U.S. shelters/rescues to help support dogs who need homes.

 

To help pets and pet parents start off on the right paw, each adopted pet in the U.S. will go home with a robust welcome kit, courtesy of the Mars family of pet care brands, including a variety of food and treats to try, three months of Calm membership, a WISDOM PANEL™ DNA kit, and Banfield Pet Hospital veterinary coupons to help build a strong bond.

Participating Shelters/Rescues and Times – U.S.

To celebrate the 17th annual Mars Global Adoption Weekend in the United States, 23 shelters/rescues across 21 cities are participating from Friday, October 3, to Sunday, October 5. Click on the links for shelter location information and details. All time zones are noted in local time.

 

2025 Participating Shelters & Details.

• Austin, TX

• Austin Pets Alive*

• Friday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Saturday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Sunday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Bellevue, WA

• Seattle Humane*

• Friday: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Saturday: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Sunday: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Bentonville, AR

• BFAS Pet Resource Center in NW Arkansas*

• Friday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Blackwood, NJ

• Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center*

• Friday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Burlington, NC

• Burlington Animal Services*

• Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Sunday: CLOSED

• Chapel Hill, NC

• Orange County NC Animal Services*

• Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Sunday: CLOSED

• Chattanooga, TN

• Humane Educational Society*

• Friday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Sunday: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• McKamey Animal Center*

• Friday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Saturday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Sunday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• East St. Louis, IL

• Gateway Pet Guardians**

• Friday: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Sunday: CLOSED

• Largo, FL

• Pinellas County Animal Services*

• Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Sunday: CLOSED

• Las Vegas, NV

• The Animal Foundation*

• Friday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Los Angeles, CA

• SPCA Los Angeles*

• Friday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Saturday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Nashville, TN

• Metro Animal Care & Control*

• Friday: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Saturday: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Sunday: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Monday: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Tuesday: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Williamson County Animal Center*

• Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Saturday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Sunday: CLOSED

• Monday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Nashville Humane Association*

• Friday: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. / 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. / 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Sunday: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. / 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Monday: CLOSED

• Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. / 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• New York City, NY

• Animal Haven*

• Friday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Philadelphia, PA

• Pennsylvania SPCA*

• Philadelphia Headquarters:

• Friday: 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Saturday: 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Sunday: 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Main Line Animal Rescue:

• Friday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Central PA Center in Danville:

• Friday: 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Saturday: 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Sunday: 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Lancaster Center:

• Friday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Saturday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Sunday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Phoenix, AZ

• Arizona Humane Society*

• Friday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Potomac, MD

• Pet Connect Rescue*

• Saturday: Mobile event outside of Pet Supplies Plus (120 Purcellville Gateway Dr, Suite A, Purcellville, VA 20132) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• St. Charles, MO

• St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center**

• Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Sunday: CLOSED

• Titusville, FL

• SPCA of Brevard*

• Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Sunday: CLOSED

• Tulsa, OK

• Tulsa SPCA*

• Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Winston-Salem, NC

• Forsyth Humane Society*

• Friday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Sunday: CLOSED

*Adoption fees at these shelters/rescues will be covered by Mars, Adopt A Shelter Plus and/or PEDIGREE Foundation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024 Participating Shelters List Below

Bellevue, WA

Bentonville, AR

Las Vegas, NV

Madison, NJ

Nashville, TN

New York City, NY

Philadelphia, PA

San Francisco, CA

Silverdale, WA

St. Charles, MO

Tampa, FL

Note: With Hurricane Milton approaching and on the heels of Hurricane Helene, we’re coordinating with Humane Society of Tampa Bay to determine what support is most helpful. Please, if you’re in the area, follow local instructions for your safety and that of your pets.

*Adoption fees at these shelters/rescues will be covered by Mars and/or PEDIGREE Foundation.

**Adoption fees at these shelters/rescues will be matched with a donation from Mars and/or PEDIGREE Foundation.

***Adoption fees at these shelters/rescues will be covered by Mars and/or ROYAL CANIN^®.

Participating Shelters/Rescues and Times – Canada

In Canada, PEDIGREE Foundation will cover dog adoptions at several shelters the weekend of Friday, October 18 to Sunday, October 20. Click on the names or logos below for location and shelter details, all times are listed in local time zones.

Ontario

Alberta

Prince Edward Island

Welcome Kits

To help pets and pet parents start off on the right paw, each adopted pet in the U.S. will go home with a robust welcome kit, courtesy of the Mars family of pet care brands, including a variety of food and treats to try, veterinary and accessory coupons and toys to play with together to help build a strong bond.

In the United States, the welcome kits will include products such as: 

• • PEDIGREE^® adult dog and puppy food

• • GREENIES™ SMART ESSENTIALS™ dry dog food

• • IAMS™ adult cat and kitten food

• • ROYAL CANIN^® kitten and puppy food and swag (Nashville only)

• • DENTASTIX™ CHEWY CHUNX™ dog treats

• • TEMPTATIONS™ adult cat and kitten treats

• • CESAR^® adult dog food (Nashville only)

• • A free first office visit coupon from Banfield Pet Hospital^®

• • Coupons and swag from WISDOM PANEL™ DNA Test, WHISTLE™ and the BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program

Why Adopt?

With pet ownership on the rise, there is more opportunity to help ensure pets living in shelters or on the street find loving homes. Considering the undeniable joy pets can provide and the fact that only 11% of dog owners across countries surveyed as part of the Mars Pet Parent Study, adopt from shelters, Mars is spotlighting the importance of the company’s ambition to help end pet homelessness by celebrating new pet parents and encouraging adoption across the globe.

Mars Pet Adoption Weekend will support pet adoption worldwide through various activities including financial contributions to shelters, adoption events, volunteer activities and other awareness-raising events.

Get Involved

Supporters and aspiring pet parents can learn more about the 16th annual Mars Pet Adoption Weekend or find the nearest participating U.S. shelter at BetterCitiesforPets.com.

While Mars and PEDIGREE Foundation encourage communities to participate in Mars Pet Adoption Weekend, supporting homeless pets is a year-round need. Visit PedigreeFoundation.org to learn about how you can help homeless pets and please consider volunteering, adopting or fostering at a shelter near you.

In advance of Pet Adoption Weekend, Mars Associates in markets across the U.S. are volunteering with select participating shelters to support their staff and help deserving pets get ready for their new homes.

Cities can also check out the Helping Homeless Pets toolkit found in the “Tools” tab above for resources and tips to take action locally.

More on PEDIGREE Foundation
PEDIGREE Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping dogs in need find loving homes. Since its inception in 2008, PEDIGREE Foundation has been helping dogs in need find homes by awarding more than 6,200 grants to shelters across the country, totaling over $12 million which has helped 800,000 dogs. 2024 grant recipients will be announced on October 23, 2024.