Sunday, June 4th marked the return of the mega adoption event in Union Square. Following a three-year, pandemic-imposed hiatus in multi-group adoptions in this iconic NYC park, several hundred pets seeking new homes — including dogs, cats, rabbits, and Guinea pigs — turned out to meet enthusiastic adopters at Petco Love’s Paws in the Park mega adoption event.
Between 2012 and 2019, the Mayor’s Alliance Adoptapalooza pet adoption extravaganza gave New Yorkers a consistent and highly anticipated meet-up for homeless animals and enthusiastic adopters, where thousands of successful matches were made. Petco Love, formerly known as the Petco Foundation, was the Alliance’s major financial supporter and sponsor for Adoptapalooza.
So it is fitting that Petco Love revived this eminent adoption tradition in conjunction with the grand opening of Petco’s new flagship store on Park Avenue South, across the street from Union Square.
“We are pleased and proud to pass to baton to Petco Love,” said Mayor’s Alliance President Jane Hoffman. “Bringing adoption groups together in a fun, family-oriented event was one of the Alliance’s key initiatives resulting in thousands of lives saved. We couldn’t be happier that Petco Love revived that tradition in Union Square.”
Special recognition goes to Susanne Kogut, President of Petco Love, and her dedicated team that spearheaded this exciting, high-energy event. 1010WINS Morning Anchor Susan Richard, a familiar face at many Alliance events in years past, co-emceed Paws in the Park with popular rap star Zeale.
Other familiar faces from the Adoptapalooza era were abundant. Diane Gauld, former Director of Special Events for the Mayor’s Alliance, who today is a certified veterinary technician who divides her time between Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) and Blue Pearl, managed a corps of volunteers that included quite a few former Mayor’s Alliance volunteers in addition to Petco staff and volunteer personnel.
Photos that captured the love and exuberance of Paws in the Park are featured here, courtesy of veteran Alliance volunteer photographers, Carol Zytnik and Dave Lagville, and celebrated photographer Geoff Tischman. Carol and Dave are among the amazing team of volunteers whose photographs recorded Alliance events in years past. Geoff has photographed pets of numerous high-profile individuals and his photographs have graced the walls of the ASPCA’s corporate offices in Manhattan.
If you were unable to attend Paws in the Park but want to adopt a Little New Yorker, check out our adoption page where you’ll find information and guidance to help you find your perfect match.
With shelters and rescue groups bursting at the seams with wonderful dogs, cats, rabbits, and other homeless pets, now is the perfect time to find your newest furry family member.
Adopt a Little New Yorker Today®
Photos featured in this article courtesy of Carol Zytnik, Dave Lagville and Geoff Tischman.