First-Ever California Adopt-a-Pet Day Finds Homes for Over 3,600 Pets

On June 1, the inaugural California Adopt-a-Pet Day, orchestrated by the California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals), the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA), and the ASPCA, saw a remarkable 3,609 pets adopted into loving homes. This event, which included over 170 animal welfare organizations across the state, nearly doubled the original goal of 2,024 adoptions.

The ASPCA sponsored the event, covering the cost of adoptions at participating shelters, making the adoption process free for the public. The day’s success included 1,977 cats, 1,541 dogs, and 91 other small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs finding new families.

One of the many heartwarming stories from the day involved Nelly, a 3.5-year-old mastiff mix. Nelly had been with the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) for 1.5 years, arriving as a stray. Described as sweet and shy, Nelly finally found her forever home with Sahiba Singh from San Ramon, who had seen Nelly on social media and traveled 40 minutes to meet her. The connection was instant, and Nelly, now affectionately called Nelly Bean, is happily adjusting to her new home.

Jill Tucker, CEO of CalAnimals, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude by the number of Californians that visited their local shelter on June 1st, and am thrilled to find that for many, this was their very first time adopting a shelter pet. Our shelters are overcrowded with a variety of wonderful animals just waiting for people to come and meet them, and it is our greatest hope that members of the public will visit shelters first when they are ready for a new pet.”

Matt Bershadker, President & CEO of the ASPCA, highlighted the broader impact of the event. “The success of California Adopt-a-Pet Day underscores the tremendous appeal of shelter animals and the unique power of the human-animal bond. It also is an inspiring message to shelters, pet owners, and the animal welfare community that when we come together, we can make change for animals in need.”

California Adopt-a-Pet Day was a much-needed success, especially considering the challenges facing pet parents in the state, such as economic hardships, pet-friendly housing shortages, and a lack of affordable veterinary care. The event underscored the importance of collaboration among animal welfare organizations in addressing these challenges and finding solutions for pets and their potential humans.

The next California Adopt-a-Pet Day is scheduled for June 2025. Those interested in adopting or fostering an animal can visit ASPCA.org/TheRescueEffect for more information.

Best Things In Life Are Rescued by Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

Related Content:

• Animal Rights Activist Raises Questions about Humane Society of New York’s Pet Adoption Process
• 10-Year-Old Hosts Her Second Annual Pet Adoption Fair
• Reality Star Lisa Vanderpump Shares Pet Adoption Advice
• How Organizations Are Encouraging Pet Adoption After Hurricanes

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade repeatedly.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!