Hundreds of dogowners and new pet adopters turned out at Tropical Park during a “Mega Pet Adoption Event” on Apr. 6.
“Couldn’t resist him,” admitted Hely Ferrigny, a 16-year-old Kendall student holding his newly acquired 7-week-old Labrador Retriever. “Reese is my first dog, named after another favorite, those peanut butter cups,” he explained.
Amid a display of older adoptable dogs, a lineup of owners also sought new puppies as well as information from a collection of tents and cages, sponsored by the Humane Society of Greater Miami (ASPCA) with Miami-Dade Animal Services and The Cat Network.
Meanwhile, dozens of volunteers like Brittany Marson, 15, were helping at least 200 new owners become accustomed to pet care.
“I volunteer just because I want to help,” said Brittany who drove from Broward County to assist in the effort.
She held “Charlie,” a 4-year-old brown “terrier mix” according to an ID tag attached to his temporary cage. “I hope someone takes him home,” she said. “If not, I might have to.”
While cat adoption numbers were not immediately available, 105 dogs from Miami-Dade Animal Services (including 19 from its shelter) and 87 from the Humane Society now have new homes, said spokesperson Xiomara Mordcovich.
“Together with those from The Cat Network, we’ll have over 200 pets adopted,” she estimated.
Next event: “Adopt-a-Mania” scheduled June 2 at Marlins Park when the New York Mets meet the Marlins at 1:10 p.m.
