Animals find new homes at 24-hour pet adoption

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Animal lovers opened their hearts and their homes during a 24-hour pet adoption event.

Hundreds took their search for a loving companion to Tropical Park in Southwest Miami-Dade for the first ever 24-hour adoption event.

The Human Society of Greater Miami hosted the event, which kicked off on Friday night.

Organizers were pleased with the amount of people who showed up to give an animal a second chance. "We are so happy and so excited with the turnout," said Laurie Hoffman, of Miami-Dade Humane Society.

"I'm really glad for the people that have adopted a pet," said one man. "It's a great outcome. If you haven't been here, I hope you give a pet a chance," said Luis Fernandez, who adopted a pet.

Some of the animal up for adoption had come from a long way, many on the brink of death when they were brought to shelters. "He was found down in Homestead by a woman who actually watched him in a dog fight being mauled like crazy," said Hoffman.

Vets and shelter workers across South Florida made sure the pets were nursed back to health and given a second chance at life. "We go to great lengths to take care of them. All the animals here are spayed and neutered," said Hoffman.

"A dog isn't just something that stays home like a piece of furniture or something that you play with like a basketball," said an event attendee. "It's a creature that has feelings."

Those who attended the event were able to bond with the animals up for adoption. Some even brought their own pets along to see how the animals would get along. "Everybody is pumped, everyone is excited and everyone is happy to be here," said Hoffman.

Ten to 15 different shelters and rescue groups brought in cats and dogs to the event around the clock. "We just got another truck load, another delivery of dogs and kittens," said Hoffman. "I think the shelters are empty but it's not empty here."

"We were walking around and we saw her and we fell in love so we chose her," said a new owner of a dog.

Many people walked away with one of more than 500 animals that were available for adoption at the event. "The community has really come out and supported us," said Hoffman.

"Now I get to go home with a new best friend," said Maria Espinoza, who adopted a dog.

(Copyright 2012 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)