Bay Area Pet Fair and Adoptathon Attracts 10,000

The Bay Area Pet Fair and Adoptathon placed 566 animals in homes, a record number for a single Bay-area location, according to its host, the Oakland, Calif.-based chain Pet Food Express.

The second annual event was held Oct. 13 and 14 in San Rafael, Calif., and was attended by more than 10,000 people.

“Creating an adoption event where people could find the widest variety of adoptable pets attracts big crowds," said Mike Murray, community outreach director for Pet Food Express. “The rescue groups, seeing the success of last year, got the word out and promoted the event even more this year.”

“Soupcan Sam” was one of 566 pets adopted at the Bay Area Pet Fair and Adoptathon. The Bolger family got the puppy from Rocket Dog Rescue, one of about 50 rescues and shelters present at the fair. Courtesy of Mark Rogers Photography

The animals adopted included 333 dogs, 157 cats, 33 rats, 24 guinea pigs, nine rabbits, four hamsters, three chickens, a turtle, a cockatiel and a rooster.

The goal was 500 adopted animals, compared with the 435 placed last year.

For every pet adopted, Pet Food Express donated $50 to the rescue group and gave a $25 gift card to each adopting family.

The event also included a canine agility course, police K-9 demonstrations and kids activities.

Pet Food Express billed the Adoptathon as an “opportunity to educate people about the importance of rescue and adoption, find hundreds of homeless pets forever homes and provide a fun weekend of activities for the whole family.”
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