The Pearl River County SPCA is organizing an ‘Adopt the love of your life for half the price,’ campaign where the first 40 families looking to adopt a dog or cat that is 6 months or older will be able to do so at half the original price.

According to a release from the shelter, the adoption special begins Feb. 6 and will last until the first 40 families adopt a pet.

Craig Griffing, a Picayune resident, will be donating $2,000 to the shelter to sponsor the campaign.

Maria Diamond, PRC SPCA public relations representative, said it is the first time the shelter has held a campaign of this kind.

“The shelter will benefit from this effort tremendously as it would especially help the people who want to adopt a pet but cannot afford it,” Diamond said.

Diamond said usually the shelter charges for adopting a dog vary from $100 or more depending on the breed of the dog. Cat adoption fees vary from $80 to $40, depending on if the cat comes in the shelter already sprayed or neutered.

Griffing currently serves on the Board of Directors for the shelter. He said he always wanted to get involved with the animal shelter because his mother, Zoe McJovern Griffing, regularly raised funds for the shelter back in the early 70’s.

“The animal shelter is an extremely valuable asset to the community and I genuinely hope it continues,” Griffing said.

He said he hopes this recent initiative will encourage people to adopt and give the pets a wonderful forever home.

“My relationship with the shelter is ongoing and we will organize many more adoption programs in the future that encourage people within the community to visit the shelter and see what a great job the volunteers and staff are doing to help the pets,” Griffing said.

Diamond said the shelter staff really appreciate Griffing’s contribution because it will help the shelter save the lives of a lot of animals.

“We are really hoping that people bring home a new pet this Valentines Day and make them the love of their life,” she said.