NATCHEZ — One local store is doing its part to find healthy, happy homes for the area’s neediest pets.

Petsense in Vidalia is joining forces with three local animal shelters to find homes for rescued dogs and cats. The pet supply store on Carter Street is hosting a Spring Adoptathon from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 6.

The adoptathon is part of the company’s nationwide effort to partner with local rescues to not only find homes for thousands of pets across the country, but also to educate the public about the importance of pet adoptions, store manager Kristin Cook said.  The Vidalia store will join 150 other stores across the country in the pet adoption effort.

Dogs and cats from the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society, the Vidalia Dog Pound and Concordia PAWS animal shelters will be available at Saturday’s event.

“They will be showcasing dogs and cat that have been vaccinated, spayed or neutered and are ready to be adopted to a good home,” Cook said.

The regular adoption fees for vaccinations and spaying or neutering will apply at the event.

Families who adopt a dog Saturday will receive a 7.5 pound bag of food and a tote bag filled with samples of pet-related items available at the store.

“We encourage people to come out and support the local shelters by adopting one of the pets,” Cook said. “Why go buy a dog, when you can adopt one?”

Cook said in addition to showcasing the dogs and cats, the event will also feature plenty of things for people to do, especially for children.

Snocones, face painting and hamburgers and hot dogs will be available during the event.  The store will also have a bake sale filled with homemade cakes, cookies and other desserts.

“Children love pets, so we wanted to have many things that attract children to the event,” Cook said.

Proceeds from sales and donations will be split among the three shelters, Cook said.

Local law enforcement will present a K-9 demonstration at 10 a.m. Members of the Vidalia Police Department and Vidalia Fire Department will also visit during the day.

A local veterinarian will also be on hand to talk about how to keep pets healthy in the summer.

During the event, the store will also put on a pet pageant show, giving awards to the best-dressed and worst-dressed pets in the competition.

Petsense hosts two adoptathons each year — one in the spring and one in the fall. The nationwide events are part of the company’s mission to support local animal shelters and promote responsible pet ownership. Petsense doesn’t sell dogs and cats in any of its location.

In support of the local shelters, the store donates 200 to 300 pounds of food every month, Cook said.

The Petsense store in Vidalia opened in February. Saturdays adoptathon will be the first one for its location.