Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack announced Sept. 28 that all adoption fees at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter will be waived until further notice due to overcrowding.

Noack's office is currently overseeing MCAS, while two employees with MCAS—including Animal Shelter Director Aaron Johnson—were placed on paid leave beginning Sept. 19, following the launch of a criminal investigation from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office.

This is the second time in the last few months that MCAS has waived fees due to overcrowding. The shelter previously waived fees from July 11 until late August.

According to a Sept. 28 statement from Precinct 3, the shelter is at capacity with 706 pets, including 430 dogs and 276 cats as of Sept. 28. Upon adoption, pets will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated at no cost.

The Montgomery County Animal Shelter is located at 8535 Hwy. 242, Conroe, and is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The shelter is closed Mondays.

For more information, call 936-442-7738 or visit www.mcaspets.org.