photo by: Contributed Photos

Pictured from left are Miffy, a 6-year-old spayed retriever mix; Luna, a 2-year-old terrier mix; and Mixie, a 7-year-old spayed bulldog mix. They're among the roughly 100 dogs up for adoption at the Lawrence Humane Society, which is holding its annual Clear the Shelter Day on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.

Mixie, Miffy and Luna — and all their animal companions at the Lawrence Humane Society — are in for a life-changing surprise Saturday if all goes as planned.

That’s the day when the animal shelter hopes to match every animal in the building with a caring new human — at no cost to the human.

The event, known as Clear the Shelter Day, is in its seventh year locally, and it’s part of a national push to find homes for shelter animals by waiving the usual fees associated with adoption.

For context, the usual adoption fees in Lawrence for adult dogs are around $150; tack another $100 onto that for puppies. Cat adoptions typically are in the $60 range for adults and $100 for kittens, according to Elina Alterman, the shelter’s development and communications director.

Additionally, all animals that leave the shelter are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped at no cost to the adopter. A small bag of pet food is provided by Hills, one of the national sponsors of Clear the Shelter Day along with NBC. Leashes and collars are also provided. Plus, adoption counselors can help potential adopters assess animal behaviors, such as a dog’s or cat’s compatibility with another pet in the home.

photo by: Lawrence Humane Society

Fiesta is available for adoption at the Lawrence Humane Society.

Alterman said the shelter’s goal was to adopt out 150 animals on Saturday.

Mixie, Miffy and Luna — a bulldog mix, retriever mix and terrier mix, respectively — will be among about 100 dogs up for adoption. About 50 cats will also be available.

For those in the market for a more unusual pet, however, Saturday’s not your day, as the shelter will not have on hand any rabbits, pigs, Guinea pigs or other critters that sometimes show up.

“Our rooster was just adopted the other day,” Alterman said.

Clear the Shelter Day will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (“Or whenever we adopt out all of our animals,” Alterman said). Because of the COVID pandemic, the shelter will be using a virtual wait list for people interested in adopting. When it’s a person’s turn, an adoption counselor will have that person come into the building at 1805 E. 19th St. to meet the animals. For more on that process, see the shelter’s website at lawrencehumane.org/adopt.

Local sponsors of the event include Central National Bank, Free State Dental, Barnett Law Office, Home Sweet Home and Pawsh Wash.

photo by: Lawrence Humane Society

Polly the cat is available for adoption at the Lawrence Humane Society.