Jun. 29, 2026
Young-Williams Animal Center currently is caring for more than 800 dogs and cats and asking the community to consider opening their hearts and homes to a new pet this week.
In celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday this Independence Day, the goal is for 250 animals to find forever homes with a “name your own price” adoption fee offered Wednesday-Friday, July 1-3.
“As of today, we have 399 animals in our shelter locations and an additional 423 placed in foster homes, totaling 822 pets in our care,” Young-Williams Animal Center CEO Janet Testerman says. “Over capacity is an understatement, and we are asking for help and support. Our goal is to complete 250 adoptions in three days.
“If you’ve been considering pet adoption, now is the time. Name your own adoption fee to bring home a loving dog or cat in need of a home. This applies to any animal in the shelter or currently placed with a foster. And the holiday weekend, which is extended for many people, serves as a great opportunity to introduce a new pet to your home.”
All pet adoption fees are waived with a donation of any amount to Young-Williams Animal Center. Potential adopters can view available animals on the Young-Williams Animal Center website, as well as visit the shelter locations at 3201 Division St., and 6400 Kingston Pike. More information about the adoption process is available on the website, and Young-Williams Animal Center staff and volunteers will assist with same-day adoption.
Every pet adopted during the three-day event will receive the same services covered by the regular adoption fees, which include a veterinary exam, spay/neuter surgery, standard vaccinations, a microchip with registration and more.
Both locations are open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; however, they close from 1-2 p.m. for animal quiet time. Young-Williams Animal Center is closed on Saturday, July 4, in honor of the Independence Day holiday.
“Every year after the Fourth of July, we see an increase in lost pets arriving at our shelter because so many animals become frightened by fireworks and run away,” Testerman says. “It happens every year, and this year we’re already caring for more than 800 animals. That means we not only need to find loving homes for the wonderful dogs and cats already in our care, but we also have to prepare for the many more animals we’ll welcome through our doors in the days and weeks ahead.
“If you’ve been thinking about adopting, now is an incredible time to make a difference. And if adopting isn’t possible right now, please consider making a gift instead. As the municipal shelter for the City of Knoxville and Knox County, we never turn away a stray, lost, abused or abandoned animal. Young-Williams is also a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that is 75 percent self-funded through fundraising, grants and the generosity of our community. Your donations go directly to help us care for these animals with food, shelter, veterinary care and more. Your generosity, whether it’s $2.50 to $250, will help ensure every wagging tail and every hopeful heartbeat gets the second chance they deserve.”
To view available adoptable animals and learn more about the adoption process, get directions or make a donation, visit young-williams.org.
About Young-Williams Animal Center
The vision of Young-Williams Animal Center is “a home for every pet.” It is the municipal shelter of the City of Knoxville and Knox County, and each year takes in more than 11,000 animals.
Young-Williams Animal Center is also a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, that is 75 percent self-funded through fundraising grants and the generosity of our community and serves the needs of lost, unwanted, abandoned and neglected animals. The center’s mission is to lead the community to end pet homelessness, promote animal welfare and enhance the human-animal bond through the shelter and placement of animals, spay/neuter initiatives and public education of companion animal issues. Young-Williams Animal Center reminds pet owners to spay and neuter their pets.
Young-Williams Animal Center’s main facility is located off Sutherland Avenue at 3201 Division St. Young-Williams Animal Village satellite adoption location and public spay/neuter program is located at 6400 Kingston Pike.
Both locations are open seven days a week from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The shelter closes from 1-2 p.m. for an hour of quiet time for the animals. For more information about Young-Williams Animal Center, call 865-433-9922 or visit www.young-williams.org.
