Lending Paws a Hand recently announced that it will join hundreds of animal shelters and rescues across the country to participate in the ASPCA’s Rescue Effect campaign to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption and fostering and place more animals into loving homes. During the three-month campaign, Lending Paws a Hand will offer local adoptions and fostering opportunities, including an adoption-fee-waived event during James Creek Cider House’s “The Running of the Bullies” event on August 22 from 2–6 p.m.
Most shelters across the country are at capacity, with nearly six million dogs and cats entering shelters and rescues in 2025, said Lending Paws a Hand in a press release. Choosing to adopt helps the animal you take home and frees space and resources to help others. Animal shelters have pets of all sizes, ages and an array of wonderful personalities, and if you aren’t able to adopt, fostering also helps free space for other animals in need.
“Lending Paws a Hand is dedicated to giving animals in need across Lee County the second chance they deserve,” said volunteer Kelsey. “With a small county shelter serving a community of nearly 70,000 people and limited resources, the need is greater than ever. We step in to help as many animals as possible—providing hope, support, and a path toward loving forever homes. But we cannot do it alone. Every adoption and every foster home creates an opportunity to save another life.”
Launching in August and continuing through October, The Rescue Effect is the ASPCA’s national campaign dedicated to helping organizations increase adoptions and engage the public. This year, the ASPCA is once again providing $2 million in grants to cover adoption fees and support operations at participating shelters and rescue groups across the country, with some holding fee-waived adoption events.
For more information about Lending Paws a Hand, visit LPAH.org, or learn more about the ASPCA’s Rescue Effect campaign at aspca.org/therescueeffect.
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Contributed article. File photo from Lending Paws a Hand.
