Manatee Pet Adopt-a-Palooza makes dreams come true for cats, dogs
PALMETTO -- Dozens of families went home with a new furry friend Saturday.
The opener of the two-day Pet Adopt-a-Plooza adoption expo at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto was successful in finding a home for a several dozens dogs and cats. By mid-afternoon, at least 22 dogs and 18 cats were adopted in an event featuring speakers, vendors and a flyball tournament.
Patty Keen-Freed took time away from work with the Bark Life booth to show her sons around the event. Soon she and her boys, ages 4 and 7, had their eyes on a kitten.
"The kids came out to see the monster truck and I saw a new cat," Keen-Freed said.
Like many families, she already had one pet at home in Palmetto, an older cat, she said. Her boys posed as she took photos to send her husband.
The event encouraged people to bring dogs for a meet-and-greet with pets available for adoption to help deter
mine whether they would be compatible.
Apparently, the event was stressful for some pets. Lila received a canine massage after her owner, Kathleen Cole, said she was not competing at her best in the flyball competition. It was the 10th canine massage Jan Robinson had done so far at the event.
"Jan here identified a few places where the muscle is tight and hopefully she'll better," Cole said.
Robinson said massage therapy is especially important for athletic performance dogs. Just then, Lila jerked suddenly indicating the masseuse had found another tight muscle.
"I, as the owner, can tell the dogs relaxing," Cole said.
Samantha Wolfe, Manatee County Animal Services volunteer specialist, said she was thrilled with the turnout as she was hoping as many as 80 adoptions -- not the 50 the department set as a goal -- could be achieved.
In addition to dogs brought by Manatee County Animal Services, there were also dogs or cats from Gulf Coast Golden Retriever Rescue, Underdog Rescue of Florida, Moonracer, Safe Haven, Royal Rescue, Bishop Animal Shelter, Donte's Den, Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch, Humane Society of Tampa Bay and the Gulf Shore Animal League.
Three puppies from Humane Society of Tampa Bay drew a lot of attention. By 11:15 a.m,, all three puppies were adopted, but remained at the event in hopes of attracting people to visit the shelter where the rest of the litter was available for adoption.
Julia Karakas, 5, was standing near the "Monster Mutt Dalmatian" monster truck on display outside the convention center while her mother, Holly, took pictures.
"It's a doggie," she said afterward as she imitated the roar of the truck's engine.
For Julia though, the "fast doggies" competing inside in the flyball tournament were the big attraction.
"They're fast," she kept exclaiming.
Caryn Hodge, a volunteer with Animal Services, was one of the many donating time at the event.
"There's lots of ways people can help Manatee County be No Kill," Hodge said referring to a policy of trying to keep unowned pets alive at the county shelter rather than resort to euthanization.
Hodge helped recruit others Saturday while stressing adopting or fostering is not the only way to help. Helping with fundraisers, coming to the shelter to help bathe animals or collecting towels and newspapers were some other suggestions.
Mike Miller, team leader for Barkoholics, was watching dogs compete in the tournament. Flyball is like drag racing for dogs, he said. The object was for each of four dogs on each team to grab their tennis ball and jump the hurdles back.
"Many of the dogs racing are rescue dogs," Miller said.
Adopt-a-Palooza will continue at the center, 1 Haben Blvd., from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.
Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.
This story was originally published August 2, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Manatee Pet Adopt-a-Palooza makes dreams come true for cats, dogs ."