Local pet adoption agencies are giving Gainesville residents a chance to bring a pet home.
About 300 pets will be up for adoption at the "Home for the Holidays Adopt-A-Thon" this weekend at The Oaks Mall.
The event will take place behind Macy's on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Becky Goodman, the executive director for the Alachua County Humane Society, said the organization plans on bringing about 150 animals to the event.
The adopt-a-thon will feature dogs, puppies, cats and kittens.
"It is just a really popular time to add to your family," Goodman said. "People like saving an animal's life."
When people have more vacation time during the holidays, it gives them time to transition a pet into their home, she said.
Goodman said the organization has been planning the event since August.
"This is just the best opportunity to get the most animals home," she said.
Their holiday adopt-a-thon has been around for about 7 years, and it coincides with Iams Home 4 the Holidays national pet adoption drive, she said.
"It reduces the amount of publicity that we have to do here," Goodman said.
Right now, the Humane Society is getting its animals ready with baths, vaccinations and medication, she said.
Last year, about 170 animals found homes during the event, Goodman said.
"We always have a substantial number of students who come out and adopt," she said.
In addition to the adoption process, the event will have an information booth with a veterinarian on hand to answer questions.
In addition to providing financial support, the adopt-a-thon will help relieve shelters of overcrowding. Goodman said the rescues tend to work over-capacity right before the event.
"The more room we create, the more animals we can transfer from the shelter and save," she said.
