Ever since she can remember black cats have been a part of her life so she knew she wanted another, and since Kally was female, she wanted the same gender. But when they saw Spirit in the cage they knew he was the one for them.

"Once we met him there was no way to say no".

Since their union, the pair has bonded deeply as Hompe works from home as a travel agent. She affectionately nicknamed him "lovebug" because of his loving nature.

"Not only does he provide new fun for me, but he also proves that when you lose a cat that you love dearly, you can love again", the VOC resident said. "That is a hard lesson to learn but if you are fortunate enough to have a special relationship with an animal and lose the animal, it is rewarding to learn that you can have another special relationship".

Michael David agrees.

For the past several years David felt alone even though he lives with his two sons in Cottonwood. The 58-year-old Army veteran recently found the companionship he longed for in Bodhi, a 15-pound Pekinese-Terrier mix.

David adopted the mellow, affectionate white dog about a month ago from Verde Valley Humane Society (VVHS) after weeks of searching for the right pet to match his finicky temperament. His search took him to the Humane Society of Sedona but no small dogs were available. A friend told him about Bodhi who had been found on the street and was at VVHS waiting for a new home.

David and Hompe agree that the Humane Society should be the first stop when looking for a new furry friend.

"What they do is so great and it s so important to adopt from them so they can keep doing what they re doing", Hompe said.

Unfortunately not all animals find loving homes such as Spirit and Bodhi. Nearly every day abused, neglected or unwanted animals are dumped at a local animal shelter.

Animal Control and public drop-offs run up to 3,000 per year, said Cyndi Sessoms, executive director Verde Valley Humane Society. In 2003, the Humane Society of Sedona received 789 animals, said "B" Skielvig, the shelter s executive director. Also in that year more than 17 percent of dogs and 31 percent of cats were euthanized.

"That's just too many animals," she added.

Michigan commercial real estate broker Joe Sowerby found the nation s euthanasia rates abhorrent and decided to do something about it.

In 1993, on his own time and his own dime, he approached the Detroit Zoo about hosting an all day pet adoption event called "Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo". Ninety-seven animals were placed that day. Last year 1,700 animals were adopted during a four-day period, Sowerby said.

"It's my second job that I don't get paid for," he said. He sees finding new homes for man's best friend as his opportunity to do the right thing. "For me the pay off is animals going home."

He admits his goal would be to never have to have one of these events.

"We call them man s best friend but every year we euthanize 8 to 10 million healthy cats and dogs. That s a helluva way to treat man s best friend".

Over the past decade Sowerby s efforts have blossomed into the two largest pet adoption events in the country: "Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo" and "Pet-A-Palooza". Since 1993 nearly 11,000 animals have been adopted, he rejoices.

The part-time Sedona resident and former booking agent for rock'n roll bands is bringing this successful event to Red Rock Country on Sept. 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Called "Meet Your New Best Friend @ Pet-A-Palooza!," the Humane Society of Sedona, Verde Valley Humane Society, Yavapai Humane Society, and Coconino Humane Association have teamed up to bring nearly 200 adoptable kittens, puppies, cats and dogs to Sedona Red Rock High School athletic field for the largest adoption event of its kind to come to Northern Arizona.

This event allows animal lovers to choose from a variety of adoptable animals. Under the four tents will be vendors, Animal Control and several vets to discuss the importance of animal care. A group of local potters also will be selling bowls for that special pet.

"This is the perfect opportunity to avoid a dull and dreary atmosphere and get animals away from the stigma of a shelter", Skielvig commented.

All animals will be older than eight weeks, have their current shots, and be spayed or neutered, she added. The adoption process begins with meeting a counselor, completing an application and then matching an animal with the ideal home.

Adoption fees vary from shelter to shelter. The fee includes a collar, ID tag, and adoption kit and each pet can go home that day with a red, white and blue bandana, Skielvig explained.

Bringing this pet adoption event to Sedona seemed like a natural choice logistically, Sowerby said.

"It made good sense because I'm already here and it felt like the right time to expand my horizons".

Skielvig and Sessoms seem thrilled about his decision.

"The more animals I can get out of here the more we can get adopted. It's so exciting. What he does for the animals is unbelievable," Sessoms said. "Everybody's going home that day. I want to come back with all empty carriers."

"We're taking everything we've got," agrees Skielvig. "I think it will be a great success".

Numerous sponsors have also joined the effort including Petsmart Charities, Yavapai College, Yavapai Broadcasting, Prescott Newspapers, Inc., Rice Accounting Jackson Hewitt, and Pet Supplies Plus.

Past experience has proven that these events virtually clean out the shelters, Sowerby declared. While he hopes every cage is empty as a result of this endeavor, realistically he expects a 75 to 95 percent adoption rate considering it's the first time for the event here.

Although Sept. 11 is a date that still haunts many Americans, Sowerby said while that tragedy took lives, this event can save lives.