Austin Pets Alive! is hosting the Purricane Adoption Special for cats rescued from areas affected by Hurricane Harvey. 

The special, which waives the adoption fee for cats, started on Sept. 11 and will continue throughout October. The shelter usually has cat adoption specials in the summer and fall, because kittens are born between March and October. In addition to the 1,000 kittens APA! usually puts up for adoption, this fall, it received an influx of 3,000 cats and dogs from Houston and Southeast Texas. 

Since APA! started their Harvey reliefs, 1,400 animals have been adopted, said marketing manager Lindsey Picard.

Picard said the shelter has received a lot of support in their efforts to rescue animals from affected areas. 

“We received an incredible amount of donations from crates to leashes, to kitty litter, anything we needed to save these animals,” Picard said. “We have also had an amazing outpouring of support from volunteers, we had people coming in from all over the country to help us and people taking days off from work to come help us.” 

Biochemistry senior Joyce Tong said adoption specials can be financially beneficial to students. 

“Adoption specials are great because they lower the cost to adopt so that can make it more accessible for students to get an animal,” Tong said. “When you get a new pet, you’re paying for all of their food, their bed and their vet bills. So lowering the adoption fee can make it easier.” 

The APA! shelter is a no-kill shelter and specifically works to save animals at risk of euthanization. 

Tong, who has volunteered with APA! and other no-kill shelters, said misconceptions about certain breeds can cause pet owners to face housing difficulties. 

“Usually most of the apartment complexes will have a high fee for pets,” Tong said. “Sometimes they won’t allow a pet specifically because of its breed, regardless of its temperament.” 

Anthropology senior Mackenzie Finklea adopted a cat from APA! a year ago and encourages people to get to know the animals who initially appear upset. 

“A lot of people don’t adopt because the animal seems aggressive,” Finklea said. “But that is just by virtue of their circumstance. The animals are upset and uncomfortable because they want to go home with you.”