10/27/2026
Home *before* the Holidays. ❤️
We've been introducing some pretty special MARS pets lately. And we want to tell you a little more about why.
Some have been waiting a year. Some for two. A few have been with us even longer.
Others have medical needs or diagnoses, like FIV or FeLV, that can make finding the right home a little more challenging.
We love these pets. Their foster families love them. And while they're safe, comfortable, and cared for, we'd really love to see them find homes of their very own.
That's why we started Home for the Holidays.
We're waiving adoption fees for some of our longest-waiting dogs and cats, along with others who may need a little extra help finding their families.
There are a few reasons behind that decision.
For as long as a pet is with MARS, we're committed to providing the care they need. That might mean routine veterinary visits, daily medications, ongoing treatment, or unexpected emergency care. Sometimes it even means orthopedic surgery when a dog tears a ligament. (Yes, that happened recently!)
Some of these pets have been receiving that love and care from their foster families for YEARS.
And we know there's a family out there who could love them just as much.
But there's something else we think is really important.
Just because someone doesn't have several hundred dollars available for an adoption fee doesn't mean they can't provide a wonderful home and responsibly care for a pet.
Those are two different things.
It's also one of the reasons our nonprofit veterinary clinic exists. We want veterinary care to be more affordable and accessible for the people and pets in our community.
Now, does that mean we're going to approve every adoption application that comes in? Of course not. There's a home for every pet, but not every home is right for every pet.
We're still looking for the right match. We want families to understand each pet's needs, including any ongoing medical expenses, and we want those relationships to last.
Our adoption success rate is 98%. We work hard to make matches that last, and that commitment isn't changing.
Adoption fees are important. They help us recover a portion of what it costs to rescue and care for these animals. But sometimes we believe removing that upfront expense is the right thing to do.
And if you'd love to help but aren't looking to adopt, you can help too!
Sponsoring a Home for the Holidays pet helps support the care MARS provides while giving another family the opportunity to adopt without that upfront fee. We'd be so grateful for that support.
But ultimately, what we're hoping for is pretty simple.
We want these pets to find their people. We want families to find wonderful companions. And we'd love for both to have time to settle in together before the holidays arrive.
Because that's what this is all about. ❤️
Meet our Home for the Holidays pets:
https://www.midwestanimalrescue.org/home-for-the-holidays
*Adoption fees are waived for participating pets. A $25 administrative processing fee still applies.*
