JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The goal: 2,000 adoptions in one weekend!
After a nearly five-year hiatus, the 'Mega Pet Adoptions' event at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds will be returning later this month.
The last Mega Pet Adoptions event at the fairgrounds was in 2019; the event brings together adoptable dogs and cats from across Northeast Florida to one location.
Jacksonville Humane Society Chief Executive Officer Denise Deisler says with shelters overcrowded, this event makes a big difference.
"It helps us relieve some of the population in the shelter at what is a very busy time for us," Deisler told First Coast News.
All animals will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and be microchipped before being adopted out. The adoptions are free, but you may need to pay a license fee if you live in Duval County.
Adoptions will also be on a first come, first serve basis. There is often a line when the doors open, but whenever you can arrive - there will be no shortage of pets that need homes.
"So, when everybody comes in and adopts every cat and dog we have on Friday, we have others waiting in the wings for Saturday," said Deisler.
Jacksonville's Mega Pet Adoptions is a part of a statewide promotion from Petco Love with 40 shelters participating statewide.
“As Petco Love celebrates '25 Years of Love,' our 25th anniversary of improving the lives of people and pets across the country, we’re excited to spread more love with a series of Mega Adoption events nationwide,” said Petco Love President Susanne Kogut. “This Florida Mega Adoption Event will bring unbelievable comfort and joy to thousands of pets when they go home with their new loving families, and those families’ lives will forever change because of their choice to adopt a pet’s love into their home. Additionally, the shelter workers and volunteers who work tirelessly to save these pets – will be elated when these pets find loving homes -- fueling their passion to continue their lifesaving mission."
The animal shelters/rescues that will be at the Mega Pet Adoptions event at the fairgrounds on June 28th & June 29th are:
- Alachua County Animal Resources
- Bradford County Animal Services
- Clay County Animal Services
- Flagler Humane Society
- Halifax County Animal Control
- Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services
- Jacksonville Humane Society
- Nassau County Animal Services
- Nassau Humane Society
- Putnam County Animal Services