Out of the Cage! (May 2010)

First-ever Mayor's Alliance Adoptapalooza is a Hit!

Whether they came out to adopt a dog or cat, to show off their dog in the costume contest or one of the other doggie-focused activities, or just to spend an afternoon in the park with like-minded pet-lovers, everyone who attended last Saturday's Adoptapalooza in Washington Square Park appeared to have a great time.

Forty-some dogs and cats met their new people at the event. ABC's The Bachelor's Prince Lorenzo Borghese hosted the Adoptable Dog Trot that featured dogs looking for their special someone, some in outfits provided by the New York Dog Shop, from the three organizations that showed animals for adoption on North Shore Animal League America Mobile Adoption Units — Animal Care & Control of NYC (AC&C), Sean Casey Animal Rescue, and the Picasso Veterinary Fund of the Mayor's Alliance. Karen Biehl's Chihuahua, Eli, doubling as Michael Jackson, won the grand prize in the Doggie Costume Contest, hosted by LX New York's Maria Sansone and High Society's Tinsley Mortimer.

Guest appearances by MTV's Downtown Girls Shallon Lester and Sarah "Klo" McLynn and indie-rockers Care Bears on Fire, and an impressive lineup of representatives from rescue and animal-related organizations kept the momentum going from the stage much of the afternoon. Dozens of raffle prizes, donated by local businesses anxious to lend their support to the efforts, sent plenty of New Yorkers home with smiles on their faces.

Adoptapalooza gained plenty of media coverage, and proved to be quite the event for photo ops. You can view some of the photos from the event here.

Our thanks to everyone who helped make our first Adoptapalooza a rollicking success!