Come Meet Us: How MARS Adoption Events Work

There are a lot of ways to fall in love with a rescue animal.

But one of our favorites is watching it happen in person — at an adoption event, with a dog sniffing someone's sneakers or a kitten tucking itself under a chin.

MARS hosts two types of adoption events, and we want more people to know about them. Here is how each one works, and how you can show up ready — whether you are planning to adopt, hoping to volunteer, or just want to come see some animals and be around people who care about them.

Milo found his people at the Meow Mixer. Just this week. That is what these events are for.

The Meow Mixer: A Party for Cat People

Cats plus you equals a party. That is kind of the whole idea.

The Meow Mixer is a casual open house at our Adoption Center in Brooklyn Park. Stop by to meet our available cats and kittens, spend some time with them, and learn more about MARS and what we do.

These evenings are low pressure and open to everyone. You might be actively searching for a cat to call your own. You might be in the "someday" stage. You might just really love cats and want a reason to spend your evening surrounded by them.

All of that is more than welcome here.

The Meow Mixer takes place at our Adoption Center at 4084 83rd Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN. We have hosted two events so far and plan to keep bringing them back. Dates vary, so keep an eye on our Events page for the next one.

Zephyr and his foster dad at one of our PetSmart events. He waited months for his forever home. His foster dad never stopped showing up. Zephyr has since been adopted.

PetSmart Events: Where We Bring the Dogs to You

Once a month, we show up at PetSmart.

Our monthly adoption events rotate between our Blaine and Maple Grove locations. They are dog-focused — a chance to meet some of the MARS dogs currently living in foster care, talk to our team, and take a real first step toward finding your match.

These events run in the middle of the day and are easy to drop into whenever you have a couple of hours.

One thing to know before you come: not every available MARS dog will be at every event. To see which dogs are attending, head to our Available Dogs page and use the filter to search for the "Adoption Event Attendee" attribute. That will show you exactly who is planning to be there.

Our next event is at PetSmart in Maple Grove on June 27 from 12:00–3:00 PM — come say hello.

We Also Show Up Throughout the Year

The Meow Mixer and PetSmart events are our regular touchpoints — but they are not the only places you will find us.

Throughout the year, MARS shows up at community events across the Twin Cities. Festivals, fairs, local gatherings — anywhere we can bring animals into the community and meet people where they already are.

Hopkins MainStreet Days is one example. Wherever we land, we will always make sure you know about it ahead of time.

Should You Apply Before You Come?

Applying ahead of an event is always a great idea.

It gives our team a head start on learning about your home and your lifestyle. That way, if you meet a dog or cat at the event and feel that connection, we are already one step ahead and things can move more quickly.

That said, you can also apply on the spot. We will work to move your application through as efficiently as we can.

Here is the part that matters: everyone goes through the same process.

Adoption event or not, the steps are the same. We just try to make things move as smoothly as possible when you are standing in front of us, absolutely certain you need to take that dog home.

Not sure where to start? Our Adoption FAQs page walks through the full process from application to homecoming.

That bandana is not subtle. Conner at Hopkins MainStreet Days, May 2025.

You Don't Have to Adopt to Come

Seriously.

Our adoption events are open to anyone who wants to be there. You can come to adopt. You can come to support. You can come just to be around good

animals and good people for a little while.

Whether you walk away with a new pet, a new understanding of what MARS does, or just a really good scratch on a friendly dog — you belong at these events.

How to Stay in the Loop

The best way to keep up with what we have planned is to check our Events page, follow us on social media, and sign up for our newsletter.

Meow Mixers, PetSmart pop-ups — whatever we are planning next, we will make sure you know about it.

We love these events. We love what they make possible.

We hope to see you at the next one.

Where all roads lead home.