During the month of September, the Pearl River County SPCA is partnering with Best Friends Animal Society to start the MVP adoption promotion.

The PRC SPCA kicks off the start of football season by selecting certain animals in their shelter to have their adoption fee discounted to $25 per pet. The majority of the animals in the promotion have either been in the animal shelter for an extended amount of time or are shy.

“This is our way of putting those animals that are being look over into the spotlight,” Maria Diamond, PRC SPCA public relations representative, said. “They are all great pets and we want to make sure they get what they deserve, a forever home.”

Best Friends Animal Society is a nationally recognized group with the mission of turning every animal shelter in the nation into a no-kill sanctuary, states the Best Friends website.

Diamond said the shelter in Picayune currently has the highest population she has ever seen, partially due to the halt of PetsMart’s charity, which transported unwanted animals to different shelters.

However, she also said that during the fall, adoption numbers increase.

“During the fall, people start to get settled in and are ready to adopt a pet. Also, it is a great time to have a buddy watch sports with you for the start of all the fall sports,” Diamond said.

“Dogs know when something exciting is happening and will cheer with you or boo with you during a game,” Diamond said. “Also, when you get further into football season, it gets cold so they are also great to cuddle up with and enjoy watching a game while warm.”

PRC SPCA is an active partner with Best Friends in their No More Homelss Pets network, which offers help and support to animal rescue groups that save animal lives in their community.

According to a press release from the PRC SPCA, every day around 9,000 dogs and cats are killed in the nation’s animal shelters simply because they don’t have a home.

“When you choose to adopt a pet from an animal shelter you are saving their life,” Diamond said. “But also, you are helping save many other lives by opening up space for other animals to occupy and gain exposure.”

The PRC SPCA MVP adoption promotion runs through Sept. 30 and includes around 13 cats and a determined amount of dogs at this time. The shelter has around 120 dogs for adoption in all ages and breeds.

For full details about the MVP pet adoption special, visit the PRC SCPA website at prcspca.org.