Seeking a perfect match at pet-adoption event

After 20 years and three cats, William Young of Bridgeport finally discovered the source of his allergies - the felines in the family.

The "a-ha!" moment for the stay-at-home dad turned into a "hurrah!" moment for his kids. They had wanted a dog for years, and now the way was clear, even though the current cat had to move to Grandma's.

So the Youngs walked through the fifth annual Sproutfest community pet adoption event in King of Prussia on Sunday looking to find a new member of the family. Violet, a 3-year-old Rottweiler, caught the Youngs' attention.

"It just feels like it's better to do this for dogs who are already here," Cora Young, 43, said after crouching down to say hello to Violet.

The Youngs were part of a crowd of pet enthusiasts who circled the Upper Merion Township Building Park for the adoption event named after a feisty Chihuahua.

Sproutfest, hosted by the Finding Shelter Animal Rescue in Norristown, presented scores of dogs and cats for adoption.

Volunteers from more than 20 regional shelters and rescue groups walked their "adopt me" dogs around the park, showed off cats lounging on tables, and displayed the sort of cute pet photos meant to make turning away impossible.

Grace Kelly Herbert and her husband, Steve, founders of the nonprofit Finding Shelter, started the event in 2010 in honor of their adopted Chihuahua Sprout. The frail toy dog wasn't expected to live for more than two weeks.

"When he made it to his first birthday, we said, 'Let's have a party,' " Grace Herbert said.

The celebration turned into an adoption event with a few invited rescue organizations and about 100 people attending. Each year, the event has grown, Herbert said. This year's program was cosponsored by the Upper Merion Township Parks and Recreation Department and the Brindisi Animal Foundation in Wynnewood.

The Herberts aim not only to rescue animals that might otherwise be euthanized, but to educate communities about the dangers of puppy mills, large-scale commercial breeders that value profit more than animals' well-being.

Animals sold in pet stores and online often are products of those breeding facilities, Grace Herbert said.

Violet, the Rottweiler, was rescued from one of them.

"She's a sweetie," William Young, 47, said of the easygoing canine. But it was too early to tell whether she would be chosen. The Youngs also were considering a cute Staffordshire terrier mix at the ASPCA.

Around the park, representatives of veterinary hospitals, anti-puppy-mill groups, and dog boutiques offered information and products. Lucy, a brown bull terrier, offered free kisses at the Pit Bull Kissing Booth.

Producers of the forthcoming documentary Dog by Dog handed out brochures about a movie that they say doesn't drown the audience in disturbing images from puppy mills, but instead considers who is profiting from the industry.

Liz and Ben Campanella spend much of their day wrangling dachshunds Henry and Red.

The Campanellas, of Bridgeport, adopted Henry in 2010 and Red in June. They attended the event as "alumni" of the adoption process.

Liz Campanella, 33, grew up with two brothers and no dog. Ben, 33, had a Chihuahua named Sammy.

"All the cliches are true," Liz Campanella said. "The kisses, the snuggles, somebody who's happy to see you when you get home."

But that only happens when there's a good match, said Grace Herbert, whose rescue group has placed 300 dogs and cats. Finding a pet should be like courtship, not love at first sight, Herbert said. Extensive prescreening is a must.

"Animals are complex. They have individual personalities," Herbert said, "You need to find the right one" for your happily ever after.

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