Participate in a Mega Adoption Event

Fall will soon be here bringing cooler days and the perfect conditions for outside events, community gatherings and a Petco Mega Adoption Event. Our stores have planned and coordinated many successful large adoption events with their adoption partners, resulting in many adoptions, media attention and increased public awareness. A Mega Adoption Event is a cooperative effort in which multiple animal groups get together in a fun, festive atmosphere to adopt out a substantial number of animals in a limited period of time. Designed to have a festival-like atmosphere, Mega Adoption Events can vary in size, depending on how ambitious you want to be. In addition to showcasing adoptable animals, you can include some other family fun such as police K-9 units, food vendors, entertainment, etc. It’s a fun, positive way for the general public to see adoptable animals outside of the shelter environment.

So you want to put on a Mega Adoption Event? The first thing you’ll want to do is create a plan and set goals for your event. Here are some questions to answer:
• How many animals do you want to adopt out?
• How many rescue groups and shelters should be asked to participate?
• How big of an event can your community support?
• What are your resources in terms of funding and volunteer help?
• Do you have other goals for the event besides adopting out animals?

If you’re holding the event outdoors, spring and fall are great times to have Mega Adoption Events.

WHERE TO HOLD THE EVENT

Petco Parking Lot

Pros…
• Often in high-traffic areas, making the event more visible
• Easier to clean
• Power, phone lines and water are more accessible
• Terrain is level
• Few permits to obtain
• Easier and cheaper to advertise if associated with the sponsoring business
• Local businesses may drive traffic to the event
Cons…
• In summer, pavement heats up and often there is little shade
• Staking for tents is not always allowed
• No place to dispose of wastewater
• Less inviting than a park setting or inside the store and people may not stay as long
• May have to remove barriers or work around light poles

Inside Petco Store

Pros…
• Climate-controlled environment--more comfortable for animals, staff and adopters
• Extended event hours, store opening to closing
• Easy to clean
• No permits required
Cons…
• Limited space may cause reduced amount of animals and groups that can participate
• Less likely to have promotional support from other business or restaurants
• May impact sales negatively if customers cannot shop the store without obstacles

Before the planning can begin, the Petco store manager will need to get approval to hold a parking lot event from their district manager and property landlord.

If you have never done a Mega Adoption Event before and you plan on doing 100 adoptions or more, start at least 6-8 months in advance. For most events, six months is a good target to begin planning, and then go from the planning stage to the doing stage around three months out. It is possible to pull off the event in less time but it tends to make things easier for your volunteers if you allow plenty of time for planning.

The Petco store managers have a Mega Adoption Event Planning Guide and can share this guide with you so that you can work together in the planning of the event. Contact your store manager if you are interested in holding a Mega Adoption Event.

Karen Meader
Petco National Adoption Program Manager
858-437-7352 Office
858-736-8155 Fax
karen.meader@petco.com