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Zoey from Second Chance Rescue was available for adoption at Adoptapalooza on September 16, 2018 (Photo by Joe Galka)

Hundreds of Dogs, Cats & Rabbits Find New Homes at Union Square Pet Adoption Event

Garfield from NYC Teens for Animals was just one of hundreds of animals who found new homes at Adoptapalooza in Union Square Park, Manhattan, on Sunday, September 16, 2018. (Photo by Joe Galka)
Garfield from NYC Teens for Animals was just one of hundreds of animals who found new homes at Adoptapalooza in Union Square Park, Manhattan, on Sunday, September 16, 2018. (Photo by Joe Galka)
500 homeless dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and rabbits seeking forever homes appeared at NYC’s largest pet adoption event hosted by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals.

Sunday, September 16, 2018 – New York, NY – New York City’s largest annual pet adoption event — Adoptapalooza — took place today in Manhattan’s Union Square Park, where more than 500 homeless animals put their best paws forward to impress the hundreds of potential adopters who attended the popular annual fall event.

Presented by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals in partnership with the Petco Foundation, Adoptapalooza offered fun for the entire family — two- and four-legged alike.

The wonderful pets looking for new families at Adoptapalooza — all spayed/neutered and vaccinated — were presented for adoption by 40 local shelters and rescue groups that participate in the Alliance.

Alliance President Jane Hoffman offered good reasons for adopting a family pet from a shelter or rescue group instead of purchasing from a pet store or irresponsible breeder:

  1. Shelters and rescue groups know their animals’ personalities and are great at matching pets with prospective owners.
  2. Adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue group avoids supporting puppy mills, which breed animals under cruel and deplorable conditions.
  3. Shelters and rescue groups offer a wide variety of breeds and mixes, including many pure breeds.
  4. Rescue pets have already been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and many have been microchipped; and adoption fees generally are considerably lower than fees charged by pet stores and breeders.

Among the 40 shelters and rescue groups that attended Adoptapalooza, AMA Animal Rescue brought Chow Chow mix, Fluffy, and other wonderful pets looking for forever homes. (Photo by Joe Galka)
Among the 40 shelters and rescue groups that attended Adoptapalooza, AMA Animal Rescue brought Chow Chow mix, Fluffy, and other wonderful pets looking for forever homes. (Photo by Joe Galka)
Hoffman, who was on hand for the event, said, “Adoptapalooza is a wonderful opportunity for New Yorkers to meet hundreds of animals and find the perfect fit for themselves and their families. And by choosing adoption, you’re able to consult with individuals who have spent time with and know the animals, to help you make the most appropriate choice for your family.”

Hoffman thanked the event’s title sponsor, the Petco Foundation, other sponsors, and the army of volunteers and participating rescue organizations that participated in today’s event. She expressed a special thank-you to “all the wonderful adopters who came out today and offered these animals loving new homes.”

In addition to pet adoptions, today’s event featured free microchipping for dogs and cats by Vetco; tricks and training tips from a Petco certified trainer on the dog training field; dog licensing by the NYC Department of Health; emergency preparedness information from New York City Emergency Management/ Ready New York and American Red Cross Greater New York Region; face painting and fun temporary tattoos for kids by The Cheeky Chipmunk; caricature portraits of people and pets by Lorelei Arts; personalized illustrations by the Society of Illustrators; giveaways by the NYC Department of Sanitation; free pet photos by PetTrakr and Pet Lifestyles Magazine; free personalized pet ID tags courtesy of the Alliance; and giveaways and information from event sponsors, including the Petco Foundation, Animal Medical Center – Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education, Blue Buffalo, Merrick, Weruva, and WholeHearted.

Rock & Rawhide, a non-profit organization that distributes donated supplies to shelters and rescue groups, collected clean blankets, towels, and pet toys to distribute to NYC-area shelters. Representatives from the NYC Feral Cat Initiative of the Alliance, Pets for Vets, Wild Bird Fund, Wild Dog Foundation, and AmbuVet were on hand to provide information about their life-saving activities.

The event was emceed by Stephanie Mattera, Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals Spokesperson, and Sean-Patrick M. Hillman, Chairman, President & Co-Founder of Rock & Rawhide.

Learn More View Event Photos


Mayor's Alliance for NYC's AnimalsAbout the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals®
The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity that works with more than 150 partner rescue groups and shelters to offer important programs and services that save the lives of NYC’s homeless animals. The Alliance is supported entirely by donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals and receives no government funding. Since its founding in 2003, the Alliance has remained committed to transforming New York City into a community where no dogs or cats of reasonable health and temperament will be killed merely because they do not have homes. AnimalAllianceNYC.org

Media Contact

Steve Gruber, Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals
Phone: (917) 359-6003
E-mail: steve@AnimalAllianceNYC.org

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