A fun way, a fun day

Saturday's Pet Adoption Carnival offers something for everyone

Ben Swan | The New Mexican

5/10/2008 - 5/11/08

Dogs. Cats. Dancing. And lots of games.

Oh, my. Don't forget sports cars, puppets, stilt walkers, pet portraits, face painting and fortune telling. And there's more: Demonstrations by Assistance Dogs of the West, Clever Canine Agility, the New Mexico K-9 Unit and the Santa Fe Dog Dancing Club.

If it sounds like a full day, it is. Pam Hagan, owner of Zoe & Guido's Pet Boutique, says Saturday's Pet Adoption Carnival at San Isidro Plaza is designed to keep everyone entertained. But the main goal is connecting families with adoptable cats and dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds.

"There's nothing like watching a family go home happy with a cat or dog," Hagan said. "But there's just going to be a lot of fun activities for everyone."

The collaborative adoption effort by the Companion Animal Alliance of Northern New Mexico brings together seven area animal-rescue organizations. Each group is likely to bring a dozen or more animals, which means plenty of choices for those looking to adopt, Hagan said.

And there's a bonus for those who do adopt: A pet portrait by Nora Levine of kibbles N' pix Pet Photography and a bag of Nature's Variety pet food.

The event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., is also the group's first fundraiser to boost spay and neutering programs at area rescue organizations. "We want everyone to be aware of adoptable pets," Hagan said, "but we also want to create a greater awareness of spaying and neutering dogs and cats."

All the groups require an application process of some kind, Hagan said. But some of the groups will allow people to take dogs or cats home while the application is being processed.

The alliance has been organizing massive adopt-a-thons for about two years. The first event was held in the parking lot of Body of Santa Fe; the most recent event, Dec. 29 at the Santa Fe Plaza, found homes for dozens of animals. James Branch, developer of San Isidro Plaza, encouraged the group to hold the spring event in the large parking lot area near the garden section of Lowe's Home Improvement, Hagan said.

The group hopes to organize more adopt-a-thons, possibly even on a monthly basis. While there are always individual adoption events at many stores and locations, bringing a variety of groups together assures a greater selection of animals.