The County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control is teaming up with the Animals for Armed Forces Foundation to provide free adoptions for veterans, reserves, active duty service members and immediate family members this Veterans Day weekend.

The special adoption event runs this weekend beginning tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, and ends on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. Any veteran, reserve, active duty service member, and/or immediate family member with proper identification will be able to adopt a pet at any DACC animal care center for free (licensing fee costs and trust fees may apply). Disabled veterans will receive reduced rates on license fees which will also be available following the conclusion of this special weekend adoption event.

“We are so thankful for all our veterans and service members who have dedicated their lives to protect our country,” said DACC Director Marcia Mayeda. “I am honored to be working with Animals for Armed Forces Foundation on this special adoption event this Veterans Day weekend as a way to celebrate, thank, and honor all our service members.”

“It is said that a pet is medication without side effects and I can’t agree more. I have seen first-hand the results that service animals or emotional support animals have on veterans, through love, encouragement, and sometime a helping paw,” said County of Los Angeles Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Chief Deputy Director Stephanie Stone. “Many veterans struggling with PTSD have reported that it was their pets that saved them from becoming a heartbreaking statistic. Adopt a pet today. You never really know whose life you are saving.”

DACC animal care centers are located in Agoura Hills, Baldwin Park, Carson/Gardena, Castaic, Downey, Lancaster and Palmdale. For a list of pets available for adoption, please visit animalcare.lacounty.gov and select “View Our Animals” under the “Our Animals” tab on the homepage.