A New Audience for Homeless Pets

In 2025, Rescue Village met new audiences in three different public spaces. The spring Cleveland Pet Expo at the IX Center, the International CFA Cat Show, and the fall Cleveland Pet Expo each provided a new platform for our humane work to be showcased. Families met the animals. People learned about our programs. And across those three events, twenty-six animals were adopted. What follows is the story of how those moments unfolded.

The first Cleveland Pet Expo, held in April 2025 at the IX Center, drew a large crowd. Families moved through the aisles, stopped at our booth, met the animals, and learned how Rescue Village works to give animals a second chance. By the end of the weekend, fifteen animals from Rescue Village had gone home.

In the middle of the spring Expo, a conversation opened a new path. Jennifer, the director of Alleycats and Aristocats, stopped to talk with us about cat education resources. It was a simple exchange. It revealed a shared interest in finding new places to continue our humane society work. That moment became the beginning of a meaningful collaboration.

At our Rescue Village education station, families picked up activity books, played a cat care matching game, created simple enrichment toys for cats, and took home emergency window cards. We brought in three cats that had each required extra time and support in our care. Ditto, an older kitten with Feline Leukemia. Tilapia, who is blind. Mackerel, who is blind in one eye. Visitors met them with openness and curiosity. Two couples returned after thinking things through and adopted Tilapia and then Mackerel. Ditto was not adopted during the show, yet she drew steady interest and encouraged visitors to learn more, volunteer, and contribute supplies.

In October, Rescue Village returned to the Cleveland Pet Expo for its fall event. The pace was different from spring. The crowd was smaller and the conversations longer. Families stayed to learn, ask questions, and spend time with the animals. Over the course of the weekend, nine more animals went home, including three puppies, four kittens, a dog named Andy, and a rabbit named Raven.

Sunday turned toward the smaller animals. Bowtie the kitten was adopted by a young girl who carried him through the expo in a small backpack carrier and later returned to show how peacefully he slept inside it. Ashley, a petite gray kitten, went home with a musician visiting from New York. Hunter and Comet left together for their new family in Olmsted Falls. Raven, who had been shy early in the weekend, relaxed just as a young woman with a 4-H background approached. With supplies provided and support from staff, they headed home together.

Not every animal was adopted at the event. Dogs like Steeler, Rochi, Luna, and Gilda spent the day on field trips away from the noise of the building. These outings are part of the additional support we offer to animals who stay with us longer than the typical fifteen-day window. Time spent outside the shelter reduces stress, broadens social experiences, and provides a clearer understanding of each dog’s needs. Rochi, who was calm during his park visits, found the indoor activity overwhelming. Staff brought him back to rest. Two days later, he was adopted.

A Shared Purpose

Across the three events, many animals were adopted by families who had never heard of Rescue Village until they visited our tables. The numbers matter, yet the larger story sits in the steadiness of the work itself. We offered education, resources, and support. We brought animals who had been waiting. We met them where they were. We showed up wherever the community gathered so more people could meet the animals who needed them.

To every adopter, volunteer, partner, and friend who helped make this possible, thank you. Your presence moved so many animals forward.