Adoptapalooza Union Square Showcases Pets from NYC Area, Florida, Texas

More than 400 homeless dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and rabbits were seeking forever homes at Adoptapalooza, NYC’s original mega pet adoption event, hosted by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals.

Sunday, September 17, 2017 – New York, NY – Animals relocated to NYC from Florida and Texas in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey were among the more than 400 homeless dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and rabbits — all available for adoption — waiting to meet their forever families this afternoon at Adoptapalooza, NYC’s original mega pet adoption event, held in the North Plaza of Union Square Park in Manhattan.

Hosted by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals (the Alliance), and presented in partnership with the Petco Foundation, this event offered fun for the whole family! Adoption fees varied by rescue organization.

The great pets looking for new families at Adoptapalooza — all spayed/neutered and vaccinated — were presented for adoption by more than thirty local shelters and rescue groups that participate in the Alliance. The animals from Florida and Texas were relocated to NYC from Florida and Texas shelters to make space available there for pets displaced by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. Among the Florida animals available for adoption from Animal Haven at Adoptapalooza were:

• Mia, a 12-year-old female Chihuahua/Terrier Mix and a very sweet “Golden Girl.”
• Pinky, a 2-year-old female Terrier Mix whose ears are the biggest thing on her!
• Dingus, a 1½-year-old male Bull Terrier Mix who is happy, silly, and an all-around wonderful boy.

Alliance President Jane Hoffman stressed four 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.

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 best make that fit. I’d like to thank the Petco Foundation, all of today’s sponsors, our army of volunteers and participating rescue organizations — and, of course, our wonderful new adopters — for helping these deserving animals find loving forever homes.”

In addition to pet adoptions, Adoptapalooza featured: great music; face painting and fun temporary tattoos for kids by The Cheeky Chipmunk; caricature portraits by Lorelei Arts; tricks and training tips from a certified Petco trainer on the Merrick Dog Training Field; dog licensing by the NYC Department of Health; microchipping for dogs and cats by Vetco; emergency preparedness information from New York City Emergency Management/Ready New York and the American Red Cross Greater New York Region; free pet photos by the Alliance and free personalized pet ID tags courtesy of the Alliance; and giveaways from event sponsors.

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 and also Gulf region shelters affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.

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.

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About 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

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