Summer is here, and that means the return of the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Pittiefest, a celebration of pitties with special $5 adoption fees, set to kick off Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
For a third consecutive year, Pittiefest is generously sponsored by The John & Christine Tortorella Family Foundation.
Designed after a certain favorite Pennsylvania convenience store’s annual celebration of hoagies, Pittiefest comes during the slow summer adoption period. The event, which saw nearly 60 pitties find homes last year, will run through Sunday, July 26, across all four Pennsylvania SPCA locations: Philadelphia, Danville, Lancaster, and the PSPCA’s Main Line Animal Rescue Site.
During Pittiefest, the PSPCA will make it a priority to celebrate pitties and share important facts and common misconceptions about them:
- “Pitbull” isn’t a breed. It’s a generic, umbrella term used to describe dogs with similar traits and characteristics.
- They don’t have “locking jaws.” This is a persistent myth with no basis in canine anatomy, a pitbull’s jaw structure is no different from that of any other dog breed.
- Temperament testing tells a different story. Pitties consistently score as one of the more even-tempered and friendly dog types when evaluated by canine behavior organizations, often outperforming breeds with more favorable reputations (like Golden Retrievers!).
Adopters are invited to visit the four sites during open hours to view and meet adoptable dogs. While pitties come in different sizes, including shorti and classic, all pitties for this promotion will have $5 adoption fees.
All standard adoption policies and procedures will be in effect during Pittiefest.
“Pittiefest has become such an inspiring time at the Pennsylvania SPCA,” said Gillian Kocher, Director of Public Relations. “We love celebrating these special pups, and seeing so many of them find homes is truly heartwarming. We hope the 2026 iteration will bring even more joy and find homes for so many deserving pups.”
WHAT: PSPCA Pittiefest adoption event celebrating pitties
WHEN: Wednesday, July 8 – Sunday, July 26, 2026
WHERE: PSPCA Philadelphia Headquarters, Danville, Lancaster, and Main Line Animal Rescue Sites
About
About The Pennsylvania SPCA
Since 1867, the Pennsylvania SPCA, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered at 350 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, has been dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and rescuing animals from abuse and neglect. The Pennsylvania SPCA’s lifesaving programs for animals include a low-cost veterinary clinic, low-cost spay and neuter services, pet adoption facilities, and the Pennsylvania SPCA Animal Law Enforcement Department. For more information about adopting, donating or volunteering, please call (215) 426.6300 or visit www.pspca.org.
