Front Street Shelter Using Pokémon GO To Encourage Free-Adoption Event

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - It's part of a nationwide campaign called Clear the Shelters. A local animal shelter is using Pokémon GO to get pets into homes.

"Saturday's the big day," said Gina Knepp, a Sacramento Front Street Animal Shelter spokesperson.

For animal shelters across the country, it's huge.

Saturday is the national -- Clear the Shelter campaign. The goal is connecting tens of thousands of animals with loving new families. It's a nationwide collaboration of shelter directors.

"And here at Front Street, we've added a little twist to that," said Knepp.

A video posted on the shelter's Facebook page shows just how creative they'll be on Saturday. It's a Pokémon adoption party where, instead of capturing virtual creatures, you can capture the heart of a new family member.

"Wear your pajamas and come ready to battle because you're standing in a Pokémon Go gym," she said.

It's a fun event, for such a sobering challenge of keeping the animals from being put down.

"Sadly, there's a constant need for finding new homes," she said.

"An adult dog is $85, a puppy is $100, cats are 65," she said.

But during Saturday's event, it'll cost much less.

"We are doing free adoption on Saturday," said Knepp.

She says some people aren't waiting for Saturday to play a little Pokémon.

"People are coming in and taking pictures of the Pokémon Go creatures in the kennels with the dogs. I mean why not, right?" she said.

Click here to find a participating Clear the Shelter event near you.