Young-Williams Animal Center is celebrating National Pit Bull Awareness Month by reducing the adoption fee for pit bulls and pit bull dog mixes to $10 and providing education, outreach and other specials throughout the month of October.

The goal of the month-long observation is to increase adoptions for pit bulls and pit bull mixes and improve public perception of the breed.

“The pit bull is one of the most commonly misunderstood breed of dogs at the shelter, which makes it tougher to find them homes,” said Jeff Ashin, CEO of Young-Williams Animal Center. “Under the care of responsible pet owners, pit bulls make great pets.”

Pit bulls and pit bull mixes account for the largest percentage of dogs that arrive at Young-Williams Animal Center each year. In 2014, pit mixes accounted for 15 percent of the intake of dogs; the next closest was Labrador retriever mixes at 9 percent.

To underscore the need to reduce the high number of homeless and stray pit bulls in Knox County, Young-Williams Animal Center also will offer spay/neuter surgeries for pit bulls and pit bull mixes for only $10. The special promotion is limited to the first 50 Knox County residents who schedule appointments. Surgeries can be scheduled by calling Young-Williams Animal Center’s Spay/Neuter Solutions at 865-215-6677 beginning Oct. 1.

Young-Williams Animal Center will offer free literature and information about pit bulls at both locations and at events throughout the month of October. To engage even greater community interest and understanding of the breed, the shelter will invite all pit bull pet owners to celebrate their love for the breed by posting photos of their pets on Young-Williams Animal Center’s Facebook page. The postings will be tagged in conjunction with a national pit bull awareness social media campaign spearheaded by the Animal Farm Foundation, a nonprofit advocate for pit bulls.

“We hope that by offering these programs and services to improve the lives of these dogs, we can dispel myths and promote the truth about pit bulls,” Ashin said. “Our ultimate goal would be to see fewer pit bulls ending up in animal shelters.”

During the adoption special, every pit bull and pit bull mix dog will receive the services covered by the regular adoption fees, which include a veterinary physical exam, spay/neuter surgery, standard vaccinations, microchip with registration and more. The $10 adoption fee will be available at both locations: Young-Williams Animal Center, 3201 Division St., and Young-Williams Animal Village, 6400 Kingston Pike.

For more information, please call Young-Williams Animal Center at 865-215-6599.