Whenever I see stories and emails about mega-adoption events, I always picture the “Crazy Eddie [3]” ad man doing his nutty blow-out-blitz, the-prices-are-insane! shtick (New York, circa 1984). But just as there was a method to Eddie’s contrived madness, there is logic and a track record behind shelters’ “mega” events.

Multi-shelter adoptathons—such as the upcoming ASPCA Mega Match-A-Thon [4] (Washington D.C., March 31–April 1)—work. Pooling marketing dollars and know-how, email lists and support networks, plus incentives like reduced adoption fees and the promise of many adoptable animals in one place, creates a rising tide that can lift all boats.

Maddie’s Matchmaker Adoptathon [5] (June 9 and 10, San Francisco Bay Area) sets a high bar for these collaborations, bouyed by the resources of Maddie’s Fund, which makes donations to participating shelters and rescues for each animal adopted out to the tune of $2 million in 2011.

During the ASPCA Mega Match-A-Thon, animals from seven area shelters will be available at the Washington Animal Rescue League’s headquarters (71 Oglethorpe S,t, NW Washington, D.C.) on March 31 and April, 1 from 11 am to 5 pm. Adoption fees are reduced to $20 for cats and $40 for dogs. The fees will also apply at participating shelters during this event. For details and information on adoption requirements, call 202.726.2556 or visit warl.org/mega [4].

This same weekend, the ASPCA is also sponsoring a three-day adoption event in Santa Fe, N.M., with five agencies including the Hispañola Humane Society. [6]

It's great to see the ASPCA helping to spearhead these adoptathons around the country. Is there an multi-rescue adoption event coming to your community? Tell us about it.