HOUSTON -- Dozens of animals were adopted Thursday during News2Houston's daylong Petathon.

MEET THE ANIMALS Take A Look At The Dogs, Cats At Humane Society See How Humane Society Helps Animals In Need WEB SITES Houston Humane Society Animals Up For Adoption SURVEY Would You Adopt A Homeless Animal From A Shelter? INFO HHS: (713) 433-6421 Map To Humane Society

News2Houston teamed with the Houston Humane Society to match loving animals with new homes. An adoption hot line was opened Thursday while animals were featured on News2Houston.

Humane Society officials said 49 animals were adopted Thursday, which is twice the number of adoptions than on its busiest day.

Hundreds of people also visited the adoption center looking for potential pets. Some callers phoned in donations so the Humane Society can upgrade its facilities. More than $30,000 was raised.

Every animal at the Houston Humane Society, 14700 Almeda Road, needs a home, but officials want prospective adoptive families to know that it is a lifelong commitment.

"We want to make sure that it's a permanent family -- that that's somewhere that animal is going to go and have the life that it deserves," said Stacey Wilbanks, with the Humane Society.

There is a fee of $65 to adopt a pet.

"It's not a huge price, but it's enough for us to continue helping the animals and at the same time realize that they are making a little bit of an investment, but when they get that, (it's tenfold)," Wilbanks said.

The fee covers the following services.

General health exam
Food and housing while at HHS
Shampoo and grooming
Vaccinations
Feline leukemia test
Occult heartworm test
Rabies vaccination
Deworming
Spay or neuter surgery
Tattoo to signify the animal has been sterilized, to prevent future unnecessary surgeries
ID Tag with HHS ID number and phone number in the event the pet gets lost
Portable carrier for cats
Pet adoption kit

Donations will also be used to make improvements to the Humane Society's headquarters, which is 20 years old. It will make "home" a little nicer for pets that cannot be adopted.

"It is time to grow. It's time to give them an even better place to live," Wilbanks said.

The HHS adoption hours are as follows.

Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Visit www.houstonhumane.org/adoptions/index.asp or www.petfinder.com to view animals online that are available for adoption or call the Houston Humane Society at (713) 433-6421 for more information.

The Houston Humane Society is a nonprofit animal shelter dedicated to eliminating cruelty, abuse and the overpopulation of animals. It receives no federal, state or local funds and relies solely on donations and special events.