Homeless Animals Get 2nd Chance

Kittens meowed, puppies barked, pigs oinked, hens cackled, donkeys brayed and humans swooned.

“They’re so cute,” people repeated as they walked through the the massive pet adoption fair Saturday at Los Alamitos Racetrack. They fell in love with the homeless animals on display and made commitments on the spot.

“She’s beautiful, so adorable,” said Mike Kim of Cerritos, wrapping his arms around the new addition to his family. “Look at her. She’s a chow puppy. She’s got the sad eyes.”

Half of the more than 2,500 dogs, cats, birds, horses, donkeys, llamas, peacocks, pigs, goats and rabbits at the fair were adopted by Saturday evening. Organizers expected all the animals to be claimed by this evening. The adoptions saved most of the animals from being euthanized.

Dozens of animal shelters and city pounds from throughout Southern California participated in the fair.

“The bottom line here is we just really want people to learn that the responsible way to get a pet is to adopt one,” said Michael West, publisher of Get-a-Pet Photo Adoption Magazine, which is sponsoring the fair. “Adopt a pet, save a life. That’s the point.”

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Animal shelter officials and television celebrities, including actress Maria Bello of “ER,” helped spread the adoption message by telling fair-goers that it’s the humane thing to do.

Only a small fraction of the animals in shelters and pounds are adopted, said Bruce Morton, vice president of Get-A-Pet. “We’re raising the public’s awareness through this event,” he said. “Hopefully, it will convince people to go to the shelters next time they want a pet.”

That’s also the message from Los Angeles Animal Service, where about 200,000 of its animals are killed each year.

“People have no idea how many dogs and cats are euthanized,” said Martin Waterman, a volunteer at the Los Angeles pound.

“This event is teaching that people need to be responsible pet owners,” Waterman said, as people lined up to fill out adoption papers. His pound was offering instant dog and cat adoptions along with free 25-pound bags of pet food.

“Do you want her?” Waterman asked passersby, cradling a black mutt in his arms. Minutes later, 12-year-old Lamora Lyons of Garden Grove stepped up to claim the baby dog. It was her birthday Saturday, and the puppy was her gift, she said.

“I might call her Blackie because she’s black,” Lamora told her mother, Lanoi.

The Lyons family has a 12-year-old dog that will be put to sleep next week because of old age. The puppy will help ease the pain of losing him, they said.

“We’re helping by adopting. The dog will help us as well,” Lanoi Lyons said.

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The Lozano family wanted a fox terrier, similar to the one on the television show “Wishbone.”

“That kind of dog is the right size for our house, and they’re pretty energetic,” Jim Lozano said. His 4-year-old daughter picked out her favorite, and now the family will be interviewed in their home next week by Southern California Fox Terrier Rescue, which matches the dogs with owners.

After the interview, the organization will determine if the Lozanos would make good owners. If so, they will get their dog within weeks.

“They have the dog’s best interest at heart,” Lozano said. “We’re fine with that.”

Once the pet comes home, who knows? It may even have the makings of a movie star.

Jill, the Brussels griffon who played Verdell in the hit movie “As Good as It Gets,” was rescued from a shelter, said her trainer, Stacy Basil.

“Every pet owner has a diamond in the rough that could be in a movie or a commercial,” said Basil, who shared Jill’s story with fair-goers.

The fair continues today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the racetrack, 4961 Katella Ave., Cypress.