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Leia, a German shepherd up for adoption, sits in the South Utah Valley Animal Shelter with shelter manager Brandy Mortensen in Spanish Fork on Nov. 16, 2023.

Carlene Coombs, Daily Herald

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Waldo, a pointer up for adoption, sits in the South Utah Valley Animal Shelter in Spanish Fork on Nov. 16, 2023.

Carlene Coombs, Daily Herald

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Waldo, a pointer up for adoption, sits in the South Utah Valley Animal Shelter in Spanish Fork on Nov. 16, 2023.

Carlene Coombs, Daily Herald

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Leia, a German shepherd up for adoption, sits in the South Utah Valley Animal Shelter in Spanish Fork on Nov. 16, 2023.

Carlene Coombs, Daily Herald

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The South Utah Valley Animal Shelter in Spanish Fork is having a “No-Fee November” for dog adoptions, thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous donor.

Due to the donation, along with the fee being waived, dog adoptions during this month will also include free microchipping, if desired.

According to manager Brandy Mortensen, the shelter has seen an increase in stray dogs being dropped off but not being claimed by their owners, causing some dogs to have a longer stay and increasing the overall amount of canines housed in the shelter.

One such dog is Leia, a sweet, fluffy German shepherd mix who Mortensen said was brought in as a stray. Leia is a 5-year-old female who loves people and attention and has been in the shelter for about a month, Mortensen said. She is currently up for adoption.

Stray dogs can have a longer shelter stay because there is a waiting period before they can be put up for adoption in hopes that their owner will claim them. Currently, the shelter is overcapacity on dogs.

Another dog up for adoption is Waldo, a 1-year-old white pointer with brown markings on his face who has been in the shelter for over a month. Waldo is an energetic male who likes other dogs and would be great for someone who lives an active lifestyle, Mortensen said.

When looking to adopt a dog, there are a few factors families and individuals should consider, Mortensen said, specifically finances, living conditions and the owner’s lifestyle. Lifestyle is an important factor, she said, with some dogs needing to be active while others prefer being a “couch potato.”

“You kind of want to see what kind of lifestyle you have and what housing you have and try and match that to the type of dog,” she said. For example, someone who enjoys hiking or running may want to consider a more energetic dog breed.

Even though fees are being waived for November, the shelter still wants to ensure dogs are a good match for whoever is looking to give them a home, but Mortensen said they are always ready to answer questions and help find a good fit for a potential dog owner.

“We still want to treat each adoption the same as we always do,” she said. “So it’s always we want to make sure it’s a good match. We want to make sure the dog and adopter are set up for success.”

Additionally, the shelter has a foster program for those who want to explore if a certain dog is right for them.

“If they’re in Utah County, they could foster them first, take them home and kind of have that trial period of time to make sure it’s a good fit for them and then adopt,” she said.

One advantage of adopting a pet from the shelter rather than purchasing one is the shelter also provides vaccinations and licensing and will spay and neuter.

For people who aren’t able to adopt a dog, the shelter takes volunteers, and Mortensen said they have a “dog day out” program where volunteers can take a dog for the day and spend time with them outside.