Free Pet Adoptions Through This Weekend!

Are you ready to add an adorable new member to the family? One who loves chin scratches, belly rubs and walks? How about a cat with attitude-plus?

Here are some examples of pets currently available for adoption:

• Lilly
• Siberian husky
• German shepherd
• Cute mutt

Contra Costa County Animal Services is giving away dogs and cats through Sunday, according to animal services spokesman Steve Burdo.

The giveaway is intended to alleviate overcrowding at the county's shelters in Martinez and Pinole, a condition worsened by the onset of wet, cold weather, Burdo said.

The inclement weather often causes doors, gates and windows to open, allowing pets an escape route. Also, some of the county's seasonal homeless shelters don't allow pets, which forces people using those shelters to part with their animals, Burdo said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, animal services had 556 dogs and cats in its care, so the more people who come in to take advantage of the free adoptions, the better.

The typical adoption fee ranges from $84 to $97 for cats and $120 to $264 for dogs. The fees include spaying and neutering, microchips and vaccinations, according to animal services.

For more information on pet adoptions, people can visit www.ccasd.org or call (925) 335-8300.

— Bay City News contributed to this article; Images via Contra Costa County Animal Services