BERRIEN COUNTY — In an effort to help more cats and dogs find their furever home, Berrien County Animal Control will host a discounted pet adoption day.

The inaugural Empty the Shelter event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4 at Berrien County Animal Control, 1400 S. Euclid Ave, Benton Harbor. The event is sponsored by Bissell, allowing the shelter to offer the animals at a discounted adoption fee of $25 per dog or cat.

Savanna Paxton-Clark, kennel manager for Berrien County Animal Control, said the shelter hopes to connect more pets with loving families.

“The goal is to get as many animals out during this event and into the appropriate homes,” Paxton-Clark said. “We want to push more [effort] into making these pets available and making sure that they go into the appropriate home.”

She added that for the adoption fee, pet owners would get an animal who is already spayed or neutered, microchipped and up to date on shots, heartworm tested and treated for flea and tick prevention.

“If you go to a vet, that’s going to cost $500 to get that taken care of,” Paxton-Clark said.

Those who come to the event will get the chance to interact with a variety of cats and dogs. They can take the animal out of their cage or kennel and into a meet and greet room to play with the pet and get to know them better before adoption.

Berrien County Animal Control shelters stray and abandoned animals. Paxton-Clark said the event offers a significant opportunity to the shelter to find homes for animals and make room for the dozens of other pets that need a safe place to go.

“Our shelter is full,” Paxton-Clark said. “We are full on dogs and full on cats.”

Paxton-Clark asked that those looking for a pet support their local shelter, rather than a breeder or online service.

“You get to meet many different [animals] and find the right [pet] for your lifestyle and your family,” Paxton-Clark said. “If you were to purchase a dog just by site online, it doesn’t mean the dog will be compatible. We definitely want to promote adoption over purchasing a dog from a breeder, because there is such an overabundance of dogs that need homes in Berrien County.”

People can see what animals are available by visiting animal control’s website at berriencounty.org/225/Animal-Adoption and click on Pet Finder.

“It’s a great opportunity to take advantage of,” Paxton-Clark said. “The price of adoption is low and what you are getting with that adoption price is great.”