Thursday, April 11, 2019 – New York, NY – Adoptapalooza, New York City’s Original Mega Pet Adoption Event, which has found homes for more than 17,000 homeless pets since it was first presented by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals (“the Alliance”) in 2010, will make its 2019 debut under new leadership — that of the New York-based animal advocacy and awareness organization, Rock & Rawhide.
This widely anticipated bi-annual, family-friendly event, which features more than 500 dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and rabbits for adoption from over 30 animal shelters and rescue groups, is the preeminent pet adoption event in the New York metropolitan area. For the past nine years, Adoptapalooza has been one of the Alliance’s key lifesaving initiatives that have helped Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) achieve its current live release rate of more than 90 percent.
“As the landscape of animal welfare in New York City has evolved and the rescue groups and shelters have increased their capacity in lifesaving, the Alliance has continued to reevaluate its programming,” said Jane Hoffman, the Alliance President. “We feel that the time is right to pass the mantle of Adoptapalooza to Rock & Rawhide, an organization that we have worked with over the years to build the event into the tremendously successful pet adoption venue it has become. We are excited to see what they will do with this incredible platform.”
Sean-Patrick M. Hillman, Rock & Rawhide’s chairman and co-founder, and his wife and co-founder, Kylie Edmond, are uniquely suited to assume management of the event, having assisted with promotion and logistics for Adoptapalooza since the Alliance moved the event from Washington Square Park to Union Square in September 2012.
“As the emcee and co-host of Adoptapalooza, I have had the honor of standing on that stage every May and September over the last seven years, keeping the crowd rocking and adopting all day,” said Hillman. “Now that we are taking charge of this platform, we are going to put our best paw forward to continue in the spirit the Alliance set forth while growing this pawesome bi-annual event to new heights.”
Adoptapalooza Spring 2019 will take place on Sunday, May 19, 12–5:00 p.m. in the North Plaza of Union Square Park, across from Petco Union Square.
About Rock & Rawhide
Rock & Rawhide aims to increase adoptions and quality of life for dogs and cats in shelters, by providing distraction therapy and noise/stress reduction through the donations of toys, tough chew items, Kongs, Nylabones, bones, rawhides, blankets and more. If a dog is chewing, it’s not barking! If a cat is playing, it’s not meowing! Less noise = less stress. In turn, dogs and cats can pass their evaluations at shelters, and show more of their personality, making them more adoptable. We collect items through regular donations, music gigs, visual art shows, culinary events, DJ events, drop box programs, and more. Rock & Rawhide also helps to produce adoption events in major markets across the country. rockandrawhide.org
Media Contact
Sean-Patrick M. Hillman
Co-Founder, Rock & Rawhide/CEO, hillSTORY Marketing
Phone: (917) 440-4448
E-mail: Sean-Patrick@hillstory.com