PRESS ROOM

ROYAL OAK, Mich., 

The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) and Michigan Humane Society (MHS), in collaboration with more than 20 local animal welfare organizations, will co-host the fall 2019 Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo, presented by Purina, on Friday, Sept. 13, noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hundreds of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens will be available for immediate adoption to loving homes at one of the nation’s largest off-site companion animal adoption events.

The DZS’s Berman Academy for Humane Education will continue its mission of “helping people help animals” by demonstrating to attendees how they can help their companion animals thrive. DZS volunteers will show guests how to provide their pets opportunities to express natural behaviors through special toys and treats. Staff will also demonstrate how a “catio”, or cat patio, allows cats to experience the outdoors while keeping birds and other wildlife safe.

“It’s a wonderful thing to see hundreds of people meet their new best friend, and we want to help them ensure their new four-legged family members thrive in their new homes by providing information on care and how to create enriching environments for dog and cats,” said Scott Carter, DZS chief life sciences officer.

DZS humane education staff will also provide information on choosing appropriate species as companion animals. Guests will have the opportunity to write postcards to their representatives urging them to support Michigan House Bill 4594, which would ban private ownership of non-human primates, and H.R. 2897/S. 2322 – the Animal Freedom from Testing, Experimentation and Research (AFTER) Act – which would allow for the adoption or other non-laboratory placement of animals no longer needed for research in federal labs.

Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo 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 the adoption event; regular admission and parking fees apply for those visiting the Zoo.

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. A get-acquainted area will be available to provide guests an opportunity to spend time with an animal before adopting. For health and safety reasons, all current companion animals should be left at home.

Since the inception of Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo in 1993, more than 25,000 dogs, cats and rabbits have been placed into new homes at the semi-annual spring and fall events.

Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo is also supported by The Suburban Collection and Subaru of America, Inc.