ROYAL OAK, Mich., September 8, 2006 – The Detroit Zoo and the Michigan Humane Society, in collaboration with several local animal welfare organizations, will host “Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo” September 23 and 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Presented by PETCO, the event is the nation’s largest off-site companion animal adoption program.

The adoption event will be held outdoors under tents in the Zoo’s front parking lot beneath the landmark water tower.  There is no charge for admission to the event or for parking.

Each year, hundreds of adoptable dogs, puppies, cats and kittens find loving homes through this semiannual event.  Adoption fees and policies are set by each participating group.  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, “puppy passes” will be given each morning to the first 25 adoption event guests who are looking specifically to adopt a puppy. Those with puppy passes will be allowed to enter the adoption tents at 9:45 a.m. 

Last year, the fall “Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo” event found homes for 670 animals.  Since the program’s inception in 1993, over 12,000 companion animals have been placed into new homes at the spring and fall events.

“Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo” is also supported by VCA Animal Hospitals, The Cat Practice, Camp Bow Wow, Motor City’s 104.3 WOMC and Mirror Newspapers.

For further information or to donate to the welfare of homeless animals, call the Michigan Humane Society at 1-866-MHUMANE 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) 398-0900 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. 
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