Cincinnati Animal CARE is giving football fans a chance to be heroes off the field.
Hamilton County’s only open-intake animal shelter will host its Hometown Heroes Adoption Campaign on Sept. 13-14, capped by a Tailgate Party from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at its Colerain shelter. The event lines up with the Cincinnati Bengals’ first home game of the season on Sunday.
The party will bring together adoptable dogs, their fosters and fellow fans for a grill out, ice cream truck, football-themed yard games, prizes and “plenty of tail wags,” organizers said.
As part of the campaign, adoption fees will drop to $0 for all cats and dogs 6 months and older at both of its facilities: 4210 Dane Avenue and 3949 Colerain Avenue (dogs only). A $19.75 Hamilton County license fee still applies for dog adoptions.
Adoption fees for animals in the shelter’s care for more than 90 days will be reimbursed by Prestige Properties, giving long-stay pets a better chance at a forever home.
The campaign comes at a pivotal time for the shelter. Cincinnati Animal CARE recently reopened its Dane Avenue facility after a multi-million dollar renovation, allowing it to house both cats and dogs in one location.
Since opening in 2020, the nonprofit has completed more than 20,000 adoptions and maintained a save rate above 90%. But Executive Director Carolyn Evans said the shelter faces mounting pressure during late summer.
“Every August and September, we see a slowdown in adoptions and fosters, while animals keep arriving at our doors,” Evans said. “This is one of our busiest seasons, and we need the community. By adopting or fostering, you can be a true hometown hero for animals who need you most.”
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