On Friday November 17, 2006, a BIG step was taken toward the mission of finding every adoptable pet in Houston a home. Saving Animals, Petco Foundation, the City of Houston, and Northwest Mall joined forces to help homeless animals in Houston find a home through the first off-site Pet Adoption Center dedicated to shelter pets from the city’s animal shelter. Even Fashion Icon Todd Oldham jumped in on the act. Paul Jolly, Vice President and Director of the Petco Foundation, flew in from Los Angeles specially for the event! BARC’s Kent Robertson, Terry Felton and Vicki Guidry of Glimcher Corporation, owner of Northwest Mall, and our very own Animal Attraction, KHOU -TV’s Lisa Foronda, were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Friends, volunteers and even families looking to adopt new pets joined in the celebration. The Petco Foundation provided generous funding to build and equip the Pet Adoption Center. Northwest Mall donated the retail storefront. Saving Animals staff and volunteers will operate the facility to find homes for homeless pets from BARC. Todd Oldham furnished “Fuzzy Anne’s Get Acquainted Room” with his new furniture collection. Saving Animals Founder and President, Sean Hawkins, said, “While generous corporate support enabled the project, the tough job of finding pets homes will be accomplished by Kathy Deffebach, Saving Animals Volunteer Director, thousands of volunteer hours, and 'Animal Cops Houston' star, Max Mixson, the Pet Adoption Center Manager.” Publisher of PetTalk Magazine, Michelle Mantor, and Saving Animals’ volunteers Nancy Ward, Lynne Knobelock, Angelica Wurth, Judy Gutierrez and Linda Eggert were joined in the celebratory event that officially opened the new center. While the humans were celebrating their accomplishments, the stars of the day were two dogs adopted by mall visitors. A lucky shepherd with a tremendously gentle and calm demeanor went home with a senior citizen and a little terrier mix went home with a woman with teen children. It was a very happy moment for both man and beast! Saving Animals’ Pet Adoption Center mall concept is a model for future partnerships in additional markets across the United States. Hawkins is quick to point out, “we’re already planning the second Pet Adoption Center for Harris County animal shelter pets for Almeda Mall to open in the summer of 2007.” The first Pet Adoption Center, is located in Northwest Mall, directly inside Entrance D. Initial hours are Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 pm. To volunteer, contact Kathy Deffebach or Max Mixson or stop by the Pet Adoption Center. Your newest family member may just be waiting to meet you! (Editor’s note: Kathy and Max have homes. They will, however, point you to a few critters in need of help!)