The Humane Society of Southwest Missouri is giving away cats and dogs this weekend.

Clear the Shelter is a national event where shelters across the country try to make space.

International Dehydrated Foods of Springfield is sponsoring the event for the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri. It is covering the adoption fees for adult dogs and cats. Those fees would normally be $125 for dogs and $35 for cats. The Humane Society hasn't participated in this event for several years. The shelter is at maximum capacity. It often offers specials or holds adoption events. They say it's been more difficult to keep space in the shelter since they went no kill in 2016. As they offer adoptions for free Saturday only, the application process is still the same to make sure each animal goes to a good home.

"People who do come out for the free events are not bad pet owners, and all the studies have shown that," said Sally Nail, Humane Society of Southwest Missouri. "Our return rates aren't higher when we do things like this. Our adopters go to the same process. They'll go through the same process on Saturday. We try to do really good fits, make sure that that animal will fit in that home and that's a good home for the animal."

The Clear the Shelter event is from noon until 6 p.m. Saturday. They say if there is an animal you are particularly hoping for, make sure you show up at noon. You can also fill out your application online to speed up the process, and make sure you bring vaccine records for other animals in your home.