WASHINGTON — Those looking for a new four-legged pal were in luck Saturday: Adoption fees were waived for the day at several animal shelters in the D.C. region.

The waived fee was part of the second annual “Clear the Shelters” pet adoption drive, held until 5 p.m. at the Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League and the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. Nearly 700 shelters nationwide participated in the Clear the Shelters initiative to find homes for animals.

Malik Elam of Northeast D.C. adopted a Jack Russell Terrier named Bullet at the event Saturday at WHS-WARL. He had been to the shelter before but was waiting for the right dog to come along, he said.

“I had my eye set on [another dog], but the vibe that I got from Bullet, it was just instant,” he said. “Like an instant connection. He came right up to me.”

All dogs and cats up for adoption at WHS-WARL had been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, according to the WARL website.

Pets were available for adoption at both of WHS-WARL’s adoption centers: 71 Oglethorpe St. NW and 1201 New York Ave. NE. Fairfax County Animal Shelter is located at 4500 West Ox Rd.

During the 2015 event, about 1,200 pets were adopted from the D.C. area, NBC Washington reports.

WTOP’s John Domen contributed to this story.