Meet Your Best Friend at the Detroit Zoo

The Detroit Zoo and Michigan Humane Society, in collaboration with more than 20 local animal welfare organizations, will host the 21st annual spring Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo Friday, May 17, from 2 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hundreds of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens will be available for immediate adoption to loving homes at one of the nation’s largest off-site companion animal adoption events. 

Presented by Purina One and supported by PetSmart Charities, Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo will be held outdoors under tents in the Zoo’s front parking lot beneath the landmark water tower. There is no charge for admission or parking for the adoption event; however, regular admission and parking fees apply for those visiting the Zoo. 

Because puppies are often in high demand, “puppy passes” will be given on Saturday morning to the first 25 adoption event guests who are looking specifically to adopt a puppy. Those with puppy passes will be allowed to enter the adoption tents at 9:45 a.m. 

Adoption fees and policies are set by each participating group. Adopters must present a valid driver’s license or state ID card. All animals will have received a medical checkup and age-appropriate vaccinations. A “get-acquainted” area will be available to provide guests an opportunity to spend time with an animal before adopting. For health and safety reasons, all current companion animals should be left at home. 

Last year, the spring Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo event found homes for 431 animals. Since the event’s inception in 1993, more than 18,000 dogs, cats and rabbits have been placed into new homes at the spring and fall events.