Fall In Love With A Furry Friend At Saturday's Dog Adoption Day Event In College Park

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — When Chelsea Cesaro-Sanchez and her husband, Brenedy, attended a past Dog Adoption Day at The Hotel at the University of Maryland, they were only there to look around. Numerous adorable dogs were quite friendly toward the couple, but a thin, skittish and young German shorthaired pointer/Lab mix named King caught their eye.

King wasn't even a year old, but it appeared he'd been through a lot in his short life. He tugged at their heart strings and the next thing they knew, he was heading home as their foster dog. But deep down inside, Cesaro-Sanchez knew King - now known as Cruz - would become a foster fail. They officially adopted him Nov. 12, which was their wedding anniversary.

This year, Dog Adoption Day will be held Saturday, April 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in front of Bagels ‘n Grinds at The Hotel at the University of Maryland, which is located at 7777 Baltimore Ave., in College Park. The event is organized by K-9 Lifesavers, a nonprofit dog rescue organization focused on saving homeless and abandoned dogs from high-kill shelters.

There will be approximately 15 dogs on hand for people to meet and socialize with during the event. K-9 Lifesavers encourages potential adopters to fill out an adoption application prior to the event to be preapproved to adopt. Otherwise, potential adopters are asked to take pictures of and information about their homes so they can be approved to adopt. If a potential adopter already has a pet, bring updated veterinary records for the current pet.

Three months after Chelsea Cesaro-Sanchez and her husband, Brenedy, happily adopted Cruz, they decided to foster a three-month-old Bernese mountain dog/Golden Retriever mix named Harlo. This time, it only took four days to make their foster fail official and they happily adopted Harlo.

Parking fees will be waived for attendees of the adoption event. K-9 Lifesavers also will take donations of food, crates and other pet supplies onsite during the event.

For more information about adoption fees and other information, visit the 2024 Dog Adoption Day website.