Houston hosts mega pet adoption to ease critically overrun shelters – Houston Chronicle

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Kelsey Kane, left, and Trudy Bennett play with a cat during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
A kitten plays with people attending a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Cats are on display for adoption during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
People line up for a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Ashley and Nathan Gregson take a photo with their new puppy during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Mariah Turrigiano, with the Montgomery County Animal shelter, leans down to give a dog a kiss during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
A dog looks up through its pen during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Alexus Mason carries a puppy during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Madison Brown kneels down to embrace the dog she is going to adopt during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
People browse through the dogs up for adoption during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Shirley Randle carries her new chihuahua during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Tracy Allen, left, hands a kitten, that has been adopted, to Emily Johnston to pass off to its new owners during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Micelle McHughes, of Barc, reaches in to pet a pair of dogs up for adoption during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
A dog is pet by several young children during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
A dog casts a shadow on the floor as it plays during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
A dog lies at the feet of potential adoptive pet parents during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
A dog stands at the feet of potential adoptive pet parents during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
People browse the dogs up for adoption during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Hays Harden pets a cat up for adoption during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Tyler Martin carries his new dog, Mountain Dew, after adoption it during a mega pet adoption Saturday at George R. Brown Convention Center. Over 1,000 animals found homes.
Katie Handleman, holds her new dog, Mixie, as she carries it out of a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Archer Walter and Rose Walter walk with their parents and their new dog, Snoopy, as they leave a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Rene Fenner, left, talks to Tay Williams about Fetch, pet insurance, during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Ellen Walter, left, walks with her children, Archer and Rose as they walk with their new dog, Snoopy, during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
People browse through the dogs up for adoption at the Convention Center. At least 14 shelters and rescue organizations — some of them critically overcrowded — brought animals to the event.
A dog walks with its new owner after being adopted at a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
A dog wears a cone while waiting adoption during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
People browse through the cats up for adoption during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Michelle Kung takes a look at a cat up for adoption during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday.
Paula Tolbert, 73, and her husband, Gary, 77, have been looking for a new pet since their old dog died of cancer.
To find their new best friend — a small dog who wouldn’t shed much — the Tolberts attended Petco Love Mega Adoption at the George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday. It was love a first sight when they saw a 5-year-old dachshund-Chihuahua mix.
The convention center filled this weekend with nearly 2,000 dogs and cats eagerly awaiting future homes, and potential adopters flocked to meet them. All animal adoptions were $35, and the pets went home spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated and microchipped.
While the event cheerfully united pets and their new families, it underscored a serious problem in Houston: All local animal shelters are beyond capacity and the overcrowding crisis is critical.

On HoustonChronicle.com: By the numbers: Houston’s mega pet adoption event
In 2019, the Mega Adoption resulted in 1,450 animal adoptions, according to Rene Vasquez, director of Fort Bend Animal Services. The event was canceled the past two years due to COVID-19, but Vasquez hopes this year’s event will see similar numbers.
Shelters need to clear as many animals as possible.
Fort Bend Animal Services has more than 200 animals in its shelter, even though its capacity is 130, Vasquez said, adding that he hasn’t seen the crisis this severe.
“It’s never ever been as crowded as we are now,” he said. “About four or five years ago, we were able to keep up with the amount of strays we picked up, but now it just seems like we’re just not catching up. We’ll bring in 50 dogs and only adopt out 10.”
Aaron Johnson, director for Montgomery County Animal Shelter, reported that his shelter is currently caring for more than 400 dogs. It’s designed to accommodate 180.
Dog kennel runs are designed to have one dog per run. Most runs currently house four dogs, he said. Cramming too many animals into the runs spreads disease and increases the risk of injury to dogs and humans, he added, but the alternative is euthanasia or leaving dogs on the streets.
Some shelters are so overrun with animals that they’ve resorted to packing animal crates anywhere there’s space.
“We’ve started stacking crates in the bathroom,” said Chelsea Williams, community outreach coordinator of SPCA Brazoria County. “After we doubled the occupancy of every kennel, we didn’t have anywhere else to put them, and the animals kept coming.”
Cory Stottlemyer, senior division manager for BARC, said that animals have been surrendered to shelters in alarming numbers since the pandemic began to wane.
“We had a lot of people adopt during the pandemic because they were sitting at home not doing anything,” he said. “But then things reopened and suddenly owners didn’t think they had time for their pets anymore.”
The problem is compounded by a lack of public awareness on proper pet care, said Shannon Parker, outreach and education program director for Harris County Animal Shelter.
Unaltered pets reproduce quickly, flooding the streets with homeless pets.
“It’s amazing how many people of all backgrounds I come across that just don’t know the basics of spaying and neutering, and how that impacts animal overpopulation,” Parker said. “The great thing is that most people really want to be good pet owners, and they’re really receptive when we try to educate them.”
The shelter workers hope that the adoptions from the weekend will ease some of the shelter burdens. “If we get 100 animals adopted today, it’s the tip of the iceberg,” said Don Specks, animal services manager for the city of Sugar Land.
Sugar Land Animal Control can accommodate 120 animals but currently has 200. “It’s an important tip, though. If we get these animals cleared we can take in more, and there are always more.”
Specks echoed Parker’s stance on spaying and neutering.
“One large litter of dogs or cats can lead to hundreds of homeless animals without spaying and neutering, and that’s probably the biggest reason we’re struggling so much to find homes for these animals,” he said.
There are no official numbers yet on how many pets were adopted as a result of the Mega Adoption, but as of Saturday, hundreds of visitors found new pets.
Grace Allen, 25, just moved to Houston and wanted companionship. On Saturday, she adopted a 4-month-old beagle mix puppy.
“I was looking for something to come home to, and I’ve missed having a dog,” Allen said.
Allen hasn’t decided on a name yet, but she’s thinking “Cairo” or “Latte,” a nod to the pup’s tri-colored brown, white and black coat. As she spoke, the puppy curled up into a ball in her arms and began to doze.
“I believe in adopting instead of shopping, and this was a great way to meet thousands of dogs from all over the area. This little guy and I just clicked, and now he’s coming home with me.”
The Tolberts’ new dog doesn’t have a name yet either, but Paula thinks she’ll be the perfect fit for their family.
“I love dogs, and I’ve always had rescue dogs,” Paula said. “Gary and I were missing something from our lives, and now we have her.”
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Claire Goodman is a senior reporter for the Houston Chronicle, covering the Katy area.
She also produces the Katy Insider newsletter, which sends every Monday and Wednesday.
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