Skip to Content
PETA
Animals are not ours
to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way.
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. News Releases
  4. /
  5. Raise the Woof at Poochella! Homeless Pups to Headline PETA’s Multi-Shelter Adoption Fest

Raise the Woof at Poochella! Homeless Pups to Headline PETA’s Multi-Shelter Adoption Fest

For Immediate Release:
May 26, 2026

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

Norfolk, Va. –

Move over, Coachella—Poochella is bringing the real stars to Norfolk this Saturday, when dozens of adoptable canines from 12 area animal shelters will gather for a doggone delightful event at PETA’s Bea Arthur dog park. Guests will score meet-and-greets with potential new best friends, receive dog care and training tips from local shelter experts, and dig into delicious vegan burgers donated by Abbots.

“Poochella delivers the most unforgettable lineup of the festival season: wonderful dogs waiting to be adopted into loving homes where they’ll get the VIP treatment they deserve,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “With area shelters bursting at the seams with adoptable dogs, PETA is inviting everyone to come be an A-lister for animals by adopting, never shopping for, their next canine companion.”

Where:           Bea Arthur Dog Park, 501 Front Street, Norfolk

When:            Saturday, May 30, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Participating shelters include Bay Beagle Rescue, Chesapeake Animal Services Unit, Chesapeake Humane Society, Isle of Wight County Animal Services, Norfolk Animal Care Center, Norfolk SPCA, Peninsula SPCA, PETA, Portsmouth Humane Society, Reba’s Animal Rescue, Virginia Beach Animal Services, and Virginia Beach SPCA.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

For Media: Contact PETA’s Media Response Team.
Contact
JOIN US
Get urgent alerts, breaking animals rights news, and easy ways to take action for animals!
PETA bunny
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
At least one of the following fields is required.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Untitled

By clicking, you agree to receive automated texts and calls from PETA and accept our terms and conditions. Message and data rates may apply. U.S. mobile users only.

Get the Latest Tips—Right in Your Inbox
We’ll e-mail you weekly with the latest in vegan recipes, fashion, and more!

By submitting this form, you’re acknowledging that you have read and agree to our privacy policy and agree to receive e-mails from us.

“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?”

— Ingrid Newkirk, PETA Founder and co-author of Animalkind

Read More