INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Animal Care and Control is going to drastic measures to try to reduce its population of dogs and cats by offering adoptions for a heavily discounted price.

IACC will adopt dogs and cats for $4 on Saturday in a promotion it calls "$4 on the Fourth," 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

The shelter is currently at capacity, with 300 dogs and 200 cats, numbers that staff members and volunteers hope will shrink rapidly, marking an Independence Day, of sorts, to hundreds of animals awaiting homes.

"We have a lot of great animals here. They need a good home," said volunteer Tammy Douthitt. "It's not a great place for them to live."

Additional fees and costs will be waived at the shelter, at 2600 S. Harding St., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and at two Indianapolis Petsmart stores -- 5750 W. 86th St. and 7801 S. U.S. Hwy. 31 -- from noon to 4 p.m.

The $4 adoption fee includes spaying or neutering, vaccinations, micro-chipping and a test for heartworms.

"We've had some grants recently that have been able to absorb some of the cost of that," said volunteer coordinator Adam Garrett. "Regardless if we lose money or not, it's all about getting animals out of the shelter alive."

Many of the dogs and cats have been at the shelter for several months and will likely be euthanized soon if someone doesn't adopt them.

"There is no time limit, as people like to think, but there are a good percentage of animals here that are euthanized," Garrett said.

Typically, about half of the animals that come into the shelter are put down, but shelter officials hope Saturday's promotion will greatly reduce that number.

Garrett said shelter officials aren't sure if the economy has caused an additional influx of animals at the facility, but there has been an uptick in owner surrenders.

"We haven't done any concrete studies to show one way or another," he said.

IACC officials said that there are low-cost resources available for those who are having trouble affording food and veterinary care for their pets.

More Information: IACC Web Site