The first-ever Gulf Coast Pet Adoption Festival turned a sunny Saturday in Mobile into a life-changing day for 38 animals.
Held at the Mobile County Animal Shelter, the March 22 event was a collaboration between local businesses, radio stations, and shelter staff — and the results were beyond expectations.
A Community That Showed Up
Originally hoping for five adoptions, the shelter ended the day with 28 dogs placed into new homes — and over 50 adoption applications filed for future placements.
That brought the total to 38 pets getting matched with families through this effort.
The festival was powered by the shelter and a team of local sponsors: Rich’s Car Wash, Netherland Air Conditioning, Makeda Nichols State Farm, Tameron Subaru, Corsentino Chiropractic, and ten Cumulus Media stations across Mobile and Pensacola.
The partnership came together quickly and hit the ground running.
By the time doors opened at the shelter, lines of potential adopters had already formed — some 20 people deep within the first hour.
Dogs were finding homes minutes after meeting their new families.
From Studio Dogs to Studio Stars
The lead-up to the festival had a rhythm of its own. In the weeks before the big day, Cumulus radio stations invited adoptable pets into the studio and introduced them on-air and on Facebook Live.
Listeners didn’t wait around.
Every single pet featured was adopted within days of its appearance — a clear sign that the format worked.
Now, those weekly animal spotlights are becoming a regular feature, continuing the mission long after the festival ended.
Solving a Bigger Problem, One Pet at a Time
The Mobile/Pensacola region sees more than its fair share of hurricanes and rough weather.
Those storms often leave pets stranded or separated from their families.
Local shelters have been feeling the pressure, especially in places like Pensacola, where over 275 animals are still waiting for homes.
This festival was a response to that growing need.
And based on turnout, it struck a chord with the community. From staff to sponsors to visitors, everyone walked away feeling part of something bigger.
Next Up: Pensacola on May 3
The next Gulf Coast Pet Adoption Festival is already set. On Saturday, May 3, the effort moves to Escambia County Animal Welfare in Pensacola.
With the same team and format in place, there’s hope for even more adoptions — and even more families growing by four paws.
The event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 200 W. Fairfield Drive, giving the community another chance to make a real impact.
A Win That Everyone Felt
This wasn’t just a shelter event. It was a community-wide effort built on action, heart, and teamwork.
It proved what’s possible when local businesses and residents step up with a shared goal.
There were no giveaways, no big performances — just the simple joy of helping animals find the homes they deserve.
And that was more than enough to make it one of the most successful adoption events Mobile has ever seen.
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