(Albuquerque, NM) September 14, 2008 – More than 300 dogs and cats found new homes September 12, 13 & 14 at the PetSmart Charities Fall Adoptathon; a three day event at the PetSmart across from Cottonwood Mall, at Animal Welfare shelters in Albuquerque and at Watermelon Mountain Ranch in Rio Rancho. “Once again, New Mexicans showed their willingness to open their hearts and help out such a worthy cause” says Mayor Martin J. Chávez, “and I thank them for stepping up to save lives this weekend.”

The adoptathon’s total of 310 pets was actually second nationally to an adoptathon on Long Island, New York, which adopted out over 400 pets. “This weekend’s numbers show that Northwest Albuquerque, as well as other parts of the metro area has a real interest in providing permanent, loving homes for pets” says Jeanine L. Patterson, R.N., Director of Albuquerque’s Animal Welfare Department, “and we are so grateful for the generosity of New Mexicans in finding a place for homeless pets.” Adds Sophia Di Clemente, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Watermelon Mountain Ranch, “With the recession as bad as it is in New Mexico and across the country, the fact that so many came out and adopted more than 300 pets shows where their heart is and we couldn’t be more pleased.”

People who missed the Adoptathon, but who are still looking to adopt can still find loving pets at several locations; At Animal Welfare’s Eastside and Westside Shelters in Albuquerque and at Lucky Paws, located on the ground floor at Coronado Center near Mervyn’s and Western Warehouse. They can also find pets at Watermelon Mountain Ranch at Progress Blvd NE & Westphalia Blvd NE in Rio Rancho.