Poochella 2025: An UnFURgettable Adoption Event! (Photos)

Adopted and Adored: Poochella 2025 Delivers on Promise to More Than a Dozen Dogs

Published May 7, 2025 by Katherine Sullivan. Last Updated May 12, 2025.

4 min read

The sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, and the pups were out to play: On Saturday, Poochella—PETA’s annual multi-shelter adoption event—was back with a bang!

A dog in a bandana — Sun’s out, tongues out. (In the shade, of course!)

The weather was perfect, and so were the pups! They each donned blue bandanas that read, “Rescued and Ready to Romp.” And indeed, many romped around PETA’s riverfront dog park:

Others made a splash:

A brown dog standing in a kiddie pool — This girl had a *pool*proof plan to get adopted!

And some, like Colbee, preferred to lounge in the shade, allowing her potential new family members to come to her:

A dog in a bandana outside — Colbee was the *bone*afied queen of Poochella.

Colbee—who was left anonymously in an after-hours drop-off cage at an already overburdened shelter in a rural, underserved Virginia community—was one of more than a dozen formerly homeless dogs who connected with their adopters at Poochella on Saturday:

A grey dog and her new family — PETA staff drove more than seven hours round-trip to collect deserving dogs like Colbee from a rural Virginia shelter with too few resources and too little foot traffic.

Nine other area animal shelters joined PETA in gathering for Saturday’s pawsitively spectacular event: Bay Beagle Rescue, Chesapeake Animal Services Unit, Chesapeake Humane Society, Norfolk Animal Care Center (NACC), Norfolk SPCA …

Two chihuahuas and their new family — These two bonded Chihuahuas were the first to be adopted on Saturday!

A beagle resting on the grass — Vince Gill

… Portsmouth Humane Society, Reba’s Rescue …

A brown dog resting near a table — Nathan

… Virginia Beach Animal Control, and Virginia Beach SPCA …

… all brought their adoptable dogs, hoping to find each one a best new friend.

Prepping beyond burgers — Poochella 2025 was *beyond* successful!

Beyond Meat kindly donated vegan burger patties (above), which a few of the grateful PETA staff grilled and served to hundreds of attendees, including some extra-special VIPs (below)!

PETA staff conversing with Norfolk city council member — From left to right: PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch, PETA Director Rachel Bellis, and Norfolk City Council Member Courtney Doyle

Local “pup care provider” Camp Bow Wow was also in attendance, offering dog daycare and enrichment options to adopters and their new furry family members.

Camp Bow Wow booth — Camp Bow Wow: Where a Dog Can Be a Dog

Adopt—Don’t Shop!

Poochella 2025 was, overall, a smashing success, including for Cameron—a PETA-rescued pup who may not have met his perfect family on Saturday but still had a blast meeting and bonding with some great new friends.

Two dogs hanging out together — Cameron was a little pit in love with this NACC attendee!

And this means this goofy guy is available to join your family. (As long as your family is on or near the East Coast!)

Cameron looking at the camera — From horrific mange to the biggest change: Click the button below to discover how PETA brought adoptable Cameron back from near death.

Shelters everywhere are bursting at the seams with dogs like Cameron. So if you’re interested in adding a canine companion to your family, please, never buy from breeders or pet stores, which destroy the chances that dogs in shelters will get to live and experience being part of a loving family. Instead, adopt! Cameron and millions of others are waiting for a loved one just like you.

Adopt Cameron!