Furry Friends Meet Potential Owners at Reston Town Center

Dogs of all shapes and sizes were at Saturday. So were hundreds of potential owners as the "Home 4 The Holidays" Super Pet Adoption Fair sought to match pets and people.

The annual event featured over 40 all breed and purebred dog rescue organizations with adoptable dogs waiting to be taken home. A wide range of pet retailers -from Whole Pet Central's organic dog food, to Dogtopia dog day care and Doody Calls expert pooper scooper service - also participated, offering free samples and goodies for furry friends.

The event was sponsored by GoodDogz.org, a group that strives to educate potential dog adopters about the responsibilities involved in taking care of a pet, such as veterinarian visits, grooming and training. It also helps them weigh their options when deciding which kind of dog breed may be best for them.

"We want to help adopters make educated decisions and take the emotional aspect out of the equation,' says Beth Bates, President and Co-founder of GoodDogz.org. The GoodDogz web site offers a step by step guide for potential adopters, and focuses on aspects they need to consider when deciding if they are ready for a new four-legged family member.

Bates said she hoped that between 75 and 100 dogs would be adopted as a result of the local gathering."The event is about getting exposure for rescue groups and finding forever homes for dogs," she said.

The Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART) was on hand with 14 dogs up for adoption.  Nancy Tarr, Director of Animal Programs for the Fairfax Station HART, says at any time, HART has well over 100 dogs available for adoption in the system.

Owners can't just  immediately take their new pet home, she says. They have to go through an interview process, a vet check, and then a home visit.

Tarr said HART's process includes this cooling-off period because the organization wants people to have the mindset that they are signing up to care for the dog for the rest of their lives.

"We are such a disposable society today. We don't want people to view the dogs just as accessories," she said.

Eleven-year-old Ashley Bochicchio was excited about taking home her new sheltie, adopted from the Northern Virginia Sheltie Rescue. She and her parents, Burke residents Jodie and Colin Bochicchio, lost their sheltie about two years ago, and were ready for a new companion.

"We had a Sheltie before, so we knew what we wanted," Jodie Bochicchio said. "It's an early Christmas gift."