4 min read
Paws the music—we’re here for the barks! The canine carnival of the year, Poochella 2024, was a tail-wagging good time for all. This year’s adoption fest brought together 10 local animal shelters and rescues, friends and families, and, of course, the main headliners: dozens of dazzling adoptable dogs.
As Poochella 2024 wrapped up, adoption applications were submitted for a majority of the dogs—you could say we knocked it out of the bark!
Poochella 2024: The Showstopping Lineup
Guests at the event—which was held at PETA’s own riverfront dog park in Norfolk, Virginia—were able to bond with their new best friends, get dog care and training tips from local shelter experts, and enjoy delicious vegan burgers donated by Hungry Planet.
Nine local shelters—including Bay Beagle Rescue, Chesapeake Animal Services Unit, Chesapeake Humane Society, Norfolk Animal Care Center, Norfolk SPCA, Portsmouth Humane Society, Reba’s Animal Rescue, Virginia Beach Animal Control, and Virginia Beach SPCA—joined PETA to connect dogs with attendees who had room for another family member. Several local elected officials, like Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander, stopped by to join the fun. Other VIPs included Norfolk City Council Member Courtney Doyle, Norfolk Sheriff Joe Baron, Chesapeake City Council Member Amanda Newins—who volunteered with one of the shelters—and 97.3 The Eagle radio personality Stephanie Taylor.
But the real stars of the show were Poochella’s four-legged VIPs, who got the chance to play …
… chew …
… make new friends …
… and receive some good old-fashioned belly rubs.
Missed Out on Poochella 2024? Here’s How You Can Still Help!
On any given day in the U.S., an estimated 70 million homeless dogs and cats struggle to survive on the streets. Meanwhile, shelters across the country are overflowing with companion animals in need of care. Many of these facilities are at maximum capacity—forcing them to make difficult decisions to ensure that they can continue providing care to animals in need—and the problem is exacerbated even further by the pet trade. For every animal purchased from a breeder or pet store, an animal in a shelter misses out on a chance at finding a home.
You can make a difference to help curb the animal homelessness and overpopulation crisis. If you already have a companion animal, make sure they are “fixed” to prevent more animals from being born into a world that can’t support them. If you’re ready for the commitment of bringing a new companion animal into your home, always adopt—don’t shop. E-mail [email protected] to learn more about animals who are available for adoption now.
