Mega pet adoption event at Metrolina this weekend

A pet adoption event is set for the Metrolina Trade Expo this weekend.

The event will have more than just adoptable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. There will be vendors for pet products and other pet professionals.

“At the MEGA 500 Adopt-a-Thon, there will be trainers, veterinarians and breed experts on hand to answer all of your questions,” said Beth Addison, chair of the Mega 500 Event Committee.

Presented by the Humane Society, the event’s goal is to get all of the pets – more than 500 animals – to their “forever homes.” Big events like this one have helped a lot of animals find homes, as they tend to draw bigger crowds than individual shelters.

“We felt that an event of this type was needed in Charlotte as a way to bring rescues, humane societies and municipal shelters together to work collaboratively for the plight of homeless animals,” said Donna Ragan from the Humane Society of Charlotte.

Despite the event’s ambitious goal, getting even some of the pets adopted will be an accomplishment.

“We honestly consider it a successful event if only a portion of the animals here are adopted,” Ragan said. “But what we would love to have happen is that the entire space here at the Metrolina Tradeshow Expo would be emptied due to all of the animals finding their way across the finish line into new, loving homes.”

Adoption fees and policies vary between organizations, with most pets available for same-day adoption and fees ranging from free to $225.

The event is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Some of the rescues and shelters participating in the expo include the Humane Society of Charlotte, CMPD Animal Care & Control, Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue, Paws and Claws, Friends of Feral Felines, Humane Society of Concord, Lincoln County Animal Services, Gods Grace Canine Rescue, Carolina Poodle Rescue, Union County Animal Services, Iredell County Animal Services, Carolina P.A.W.S., South of the Bully Rescue, and Jasmine’s Gift.

This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Mega pet adoption event at Metrolina this weekend."