Just past the front counter of the Bloomington Animal Care and Control (BACC) adoption center a young IU student stared longingly at the rows of cats in front of her and wondered if today would be the day she’d leave with one of her own.  

Sophomore Elaina Franz had been thinking about adopting a cat for around two or three months. She decided to go to the shelter after hearing about a Shelter Sweethearts Valentine’s Day special, where adoptions fees for cats, dogs and even rabbits were reduced to $14. 

“I knew about the $14 adoption deal, which was like a little bit convincing. And, I was like on the fence about it and that just kind of, I was like ‘oh, I should go,’” Franz said. 

Luckily, she did because one cat in particular caught her attention. 

A BACC worker unlocked the cage door of Kit Kat Magoo, a calico female with big green eyes and a calm and cuddly personality, and handed her to Franz. As Franz scratched Kit Kat Magoo’s head, the cat rubbed herself frantically against Franz and purred endlessly. 

“I think she is perfect for me,” Franz said, as she cradled Kit Kat Magoo in her arms. 

Kit Kat Magoo, now known as Georgia, meowed as Franz walked away. Little did the cat know, she was just leaving to fill out adoption paperwork and would later take her to her fur-ever home.

According to the BACC adoption page, it would normally cost someone $100 to adopt a dog, $90 to adopt a cat, and $60 to adopt a rabbit. Adoption specials, such as the Sweetheart Special, makes these fees less of a barrier for both the adopter and the animals. 

For adopters, a lower price can be the extra push they need to finally say yes to a furry friend. While the adoption process stays the same, the reduced fees allows them to focus on other expenses, such as toys, food, and other necessities for their new pet. 

“We reduce the fees, but we don’t change our process,” BACC Outreach and Behavior Coordinator Emily Herr said. “Our whole goal for that is to just make adoption more accessible to people.”

For the animals, adoption specials create more community engagement online, increase foot traffic in and out of the shelter, and improve their chances of finding a family, especially the longer-term residents. 

“It’s sad because we see their, you know, great qualities and know that they deserve such a loving, wonderful home too. And a lot of the time it’s no fault of their own,” Herr said.

Even if someone is not interested in adopting, they can still contribute. By sponsoring an animal, they pay the adoption fees, but someone else will eventually adopt the pet. 

“I mean…it’ll change your life. Even if you don’t get to adopt, but still get to sponsor an animal. That is, you know, very generous step into helping an animal have the best life they can,” Herr said.