The adoption event will be held outdoors under tents in the Detroit Zoo’s front parking lot beneath the landmark water tower.  There is no charge for admission or parking for adoption event guests; however, regular admission and parking fees apply for those visiting the Zoo.

Hundreds of adoptable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens will be available for immediate adoption to loving homes both days.  A “get-acquainted” area will be available to provide guests an opportunity to spend time with an animal before adopting.

Because puppies are often in high demand, 20 “puppy passes” will be given away on the Dick Purtan Show on Oldies 104.3 WOMC the week leading up to Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo, and additional passes will be given each morning of the event to the first 15 adoption event guests who are looking specifically to adopt a puppy.  Those with puppy passes will be allowed to enter the event at 9:45 a.m., with the remaining guests allowed to enter at 10 a.m.

Adoption fees and policies are set by each participating group.  Adopters must present a valid driver’s license or state ID card.  All animals will have received a medical checkup and age-appropriate vaccinations.  For health and safety reasons, all current companion animals should be left at home.

Last year, the fall Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo event found homes for about 600 animals.  Since the event’s inception in 1993, nearly 13,000 companion animals have been placed into new homes at the spring and fall events.

Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo is supported by VCA Animal Hospitals, PETCO, Bark Busters Home Dog Training, Paw Print Inn Pet Resort and Spa, Pet Suite Retreat, Bluegreen Resorts and media partner Oldies 104.3 WOMC.

For further information or to donate to the welfare of homeless animals, call the Michigan Humane Society at 1-866-MHUMANE (1-866-648-6263) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit www.michiganhumane.org.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October – with extended hours until 8 p.m. Wednesdays during July and August – and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March.  Admission is $11.00 for adults 13 to 61, $9.00 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7.00 for children ages 2 to 12; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March, and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056.