Nine agencies from around Northeast Florida came together with waived adoption fees for the weekend at the convention center in Jacksonville.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Nearly 200 animals left the Prime Osborne Convention Center Saturday to head to new homes.

Animal rescue shelters from around Northeast Florida came together for a Mega Adoption event.

“My friend came with me,” said Devyn Mitchell while holding her new dog’s leash. “We brought her son. It was an experience for us.”



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Mitchell saw the signs for the Mega Adoption event at the Prime Osborne and decided to pop in.

“I didn’t expect to adopt, but…” said Mitchell.

“I’ve been wanting a Doberman; this is perfect,” said Mitchell. “He just seems like a very sweet dog. Someone I could cuddle with.”

Duke was one of 167 dogs and cats who found a new home at the Mega Adoption Event at the Prime Osborne, which featured pets from nine different agencies.

“I’ve seen a lot of wagging tales, happy faces, carrying their cats,” said Brianna Sandoval with the Jacksonville Humane Society. “I think everyone is so excited they’re able to find the pet that was the right fit for their family.”

Sandoval says one of the big reasons so many pets are being adopted is that adoption fees were waived for the weekend, meaning folks only have to pay a licensing fee to take an animal home, which is $20 for Duval County residents.

Plus, with nine agencies under one roof for the weekend, there are a lot of animals for folks to find exactly who they’re looking for.

“The Mega Florida Pet Adoption Event is statewide, so overall, we want to see over 2000 pets across the state of Florida adopted,” said Sandoval. “Last year, we went over 2100, so we hope to surpass that number again this year.”

Mitchell did her part, and she has just the “trick” to celebrate that will have Duke saying “bone” apetit.

“We’re going to the dog bar after this,” said Mitchell.

There’s still another day to find Tori and the rest of the dogs and cats here the “purfect” home as the event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Prime Osborne on Sunday.