"Bentley" is an adoptable dog looking for a forever home who is at an East Bay SPCA shelter. The organization is waiving adoption fees for dogs from Thursday, May 28 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, in order to reduce the shelter's population. (East Bay SPCA via Bay City News)

The East Bay SCPA is offering free adoptions for dogs and puppies over 6 months old for four days beginning on Thursday, the organization said.  

In order to reduce the shelters’ population of adoptable dogs, fees will be waived from Thursday through Sunday.  

The shelters saw a 99% increase in animal intakes from 2024 to 2025, the East Bay SPCA said, and it expects that trend to continue upwards as local residents face inflation, housing instability, and other challenges. 

“This is evident in the rising enrollment in East Bay SPCA’s Humane Advocacy programs, which support struggling pet owners,” the organization said in a release on Wednesday. 

According to the East Bay SPCA, in 2025, 374,043 meals for owned dogs and cats were distributed by the organization’s Pet Food Pantry program — a 94% increase over 2024. The Veterinary Assistance Program provided discounted or waived veterinary services to 1,881 owned pets in the same year, at a 216% increase over 2024. 

“While we saw a great increase in adoptions last year, we are already seeing a significant rise in intake this year,” said Jes Cytron, East Bay SPCA’s director of shelter operations. “Without consistent movement of our population, especially large dogs, taking in more animals who need our help becomes a challenge.” 

Adoptable pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccinations and flea/parasite prevention. Dog adopters also receive a discount on dog training services from East Bay SPCA, as well as free donated supplies, toys, etc.  

To see adoptable animals, visit the Oakland Adoption Center at 8323 Baldwin St. in Oakland, or the Dublin Adoption Center at . The shelters are open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.  

Katy St. Clair got her start in journalism by working in the classifieds department at the East Bay Express during the height of alt weeklies, then sweet talked her way into becoming staff writer, submissions editor, and music editor. She has been a columnist in the East Bay Express, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Examiner. Starting in 2015, she begrudgingly scaled the inverted pyramid at dailies such as the Vallejo Times-Herald, The Vacaville Reporter, and the Daily Republic. She has her own independent news site and blog that covers the delightfully dysfunctional town of Vallejo, California, where she also collaborates with the investigative team at Open Vallejo. A passionate advocate for people with developmental disabilities, she serves on both the Board of the Arc of Solano and the Arc of California. She lives in Vallejo.