Hundreds of cats, dogs get forever homes at Mega Adoption Event

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- No one should spend the holidays alone - and that includes rescue pets.

Mason, an excited shelter dog, found himself a family Sunday.

He's one of hundreds of cats and dogs adopted at this weekend's Mega Adoption Event at the 23rd Street Armory.

"We try to adopt 1,000 animals. Each event is going to have a different goal, but essentially it's our way to cultivate a no-kill community through adoptions," said Eli Martinez, Brandywine Valley SPCA.

Before doors opened, long lines of potential adopters wrapped around the building.

Volunteers unloaded pets from trucks and placed them in crates where they waited until the right family came looking.

"There's tons of dogs who need homes, and we're here to try and find one to give them a nice home for the holidays," said Jessica Kirkpatrick of Mullica Hill, New Jersey.

"I was going to buy one, but now my mom told me about this, so I came to adopt one. They need a home," said Samira Washington, who adopted a dog.

Hallie Ecton of Aston found herself a first best friend named Canon.

"Just moved into a new house. A lot more space so we wanted to fill it with something fun," said Kevin Ecton of Aston.

"He came from Florida this morning. From Jacksonville, which is where I'm from, so it's really cool," said Sarah Ecton of Aston.

Organizers from the Brandywine Valley SPCA and other shelters reduced the adoption fee to $20. All pets are microchipped and vaccinated, and if they're not spayed or neutered, they will be altered at no cost to the family.

"And I went and I put my hand out, and she was calm and she just started kissing me," said Koraly Adames of North Philadelphia.

Adames says after grieving the loss of her previous pup, the time was right to adopt again.

"Its not the same, not having one. I felt empty," said Adames. "Hopefully I won't feel that way anymore with Stevie."

By mid-afternoon, more than 800 pets had been adopted.

But advocates are quick to point out, across the country, millions more waiting for their turn.

If you weren't able to make it to the event, organizers say there are plenty of good cats and dogs who are looking for a good home.

You can find them at a shelter near you.