When floods threatened the world in biblical times, Noah knew that all living things that could not fend for themselves from the inclement weather would die, so he built an ark and according to religious scholars, placed two of every creature (1 male and 1 female) in the ark and saved them from a bitter fate. That is perhaps the first recorded case of an animal rescue. Today, thousands of groups worldwide strive to improve upon the health and well being of all animals. One of the most respected of those organizations is the North Shore Animal League headquarters in Port Washington, New York. Since its foundation in 1944, it has grown to become the world's largest pet adoption agency, with nearly 1 million animal lives saved. It is funded solely on volunteer donations.

In 1995, North Shore Animal League created the Pet Adoptathon, an event that celebrates shelter pets throughout the world in hope to finding loving homes for the thousands of abandoned or neglected animals. Participating shelters stay open for a 36-hour period. Since its inception in 1995, the event has grown to adopt 39 times more animals than the 525 it did its first year. Last year shelters worldwide placed over 20,000 animals in loving homes during the Adoptathon. This year, with the support of Petsmart, the Adoptathon has expanded its global participation to make this an international event for the humane community. Russia, Japan, China, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Greece, South Africa, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela have all joined forces in an effort to alleviate the pet overpopulation problem.

Save the date! On May 1 and 2 go and look into adopting a pet from one of the 2000 participating shelters worldwide or at the Luv-A-Pet Center of Petsmart.

For More information or to find a participating center near you, call toll free 1-877-236-9725. Remember the animals are counting on you.

-Kareem Tabsch is a freelance writer who specializes in celebrity interviews. He has interviewed celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Hope, Joan Rivers, Julio Iglesias, Barbara Mandrell and others. He writes frequently on animal related issues as well as on the entertainment industry.