Humane Society embraces Black Friday

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - Everyone is getting into the Black Friday spirit — even the Humane Society for Hamilton County.

This will be the second year for its early bird specials on pets.

Rebecca Stevens, the executive director of HSHC, said last year's Black Friday promotion inspired a record number of adoptions for the shelter in a single day. That's important because the agency is "in crisis mode ... absolutely no more cage or kennel space for new arrivals."

An HSHC press release blames a surge in animal surrenders. The problem is common in the two weeks before the holidays.

"Pet owners often use this time as an opportunity to off-load their pets for bogus reasons as boarding them is costly, and some feel pets are an inconvenience when holiday guests arrive,” the organization said.

Stevens and her staff hope this year’s Black Friday promotion finds new homes for the extra animals.

From 8 until 10 on Friday morning, you can adopt a pet for just $15 dollars. From 10 until noon, the fee is $20. The price rises to $25 dollars from noon until 2. Then, it's $30 from 2 until 5 p.m. Stevens told 24-Hour News 8 the fee covers everything — spaying or neutering the animal, microchips and a wellness exam.

Prospective owners will still go through what Stevens called a "rigorous" screening process before the adoption can be completed.