SALISBURY — The Rowan County Animal Shelter is continuing a series of discount adoption days on Saturday.

The shelter will offer 80 percent off adoption fees for all animals, which comes out to about $16 per animal, Animal Services Director Bob Pendergrass said.

The shelter was given permission by the Rowan County Board of Commissioners to do 12 “very high-reduced rate” adoption promotions each year in an effort to ensure animals find good homes.

So far, the shelter has held about one event per month, with two per month in the summer.

“During the summer, we have a lot of — especially cat — intakes,” Pendergrass said.

Summer months are when a lot of animals are having litters, particularly cats, he said.

Currently, the shelter has 146 cats and 40 dogs — though not all of those animals are available for adoption. Some animals that come into the shelter are feral or semi-feral, but others have been dropped off by owners after a pet had a litter.

“That’s the reason we see a lot of animals come through the shelter. People wind up with more than they can handle,” Pendergrass said.

The best way to keep animals out of a shelter, he said, is to spay or neuter them.

But thanks to a new full-time veterinarian, most animals up for adoption Saturday have already been spayed or neutered. The few that haven’t come with a $70 voucher for spaying or neutering at the owner’s vet of choice. Adoptable animals also come with a microchip and are up-to-date on vaccines.

So far, the adoption promotions have been a success.

“It’s been tremendous,” Pendergrass said.

Summer events are held on one weekday and one weekend a month, and Pendergrass said the shelter managed to adopt out as many as 83 animals in a single day.

“We’ve moved a lot of animals and, I think, found good homes for animals in need,” he said.

The adoption promotion will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Contact reporter Rebecca Rider at 704-797-4264.