LAPLACE — Pet adoption is not only affordable — it’s an easy way to save a life.

Petsense LaPlace manager Chassie Leblanc invites the community to the store’s first large-scale Adopt-a-thon from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27.

The Adopt-a-thon, which also raises money for the St. John the Baptist Parish Animal Shelter, features food and craft vendors, a Bloodmobile and opportunities to interact with adoptable dogs and cats.

“Adoption saves you a lot moneywise, which I find is a big thing for people,” Leblanc said. “People say, ‘I can get a free cat off of the street,’ but when you get a cat from the shelter for $80, it already comes spayed or neutered. It comes with vet checks and vaccinations.”

Paying for those critical health services at a veterinarian could cost more than $180 at the first appointment, according to Leblanc. In addition to savings, Leblanc said adoption benefits animals more than buying from breeders.

“It makes you feel better knowing they’re not in a shelter; they’re not scared,” Leblanc said. “You’re making a difference, even if not for yourself. You’re making a difference for the dog or cat that you adopt. You’re basically saving a life.”

Petsense regularly houses four cats at a time from the St. John Animal Shelter. Smaller dog adoption events are held intermittently on Saturdays inside the store with help from Froggy’s Mission volunteers, who bring St. John Animal Shelter dogs to the location for more exposure.

Froggy’s Mission will be on-site for the Adopt-a-thon with shelter pups, including yellow lab mixes yet to find a home since they were rescued from severe hoarding conditions in January.

Froggy’s Mission founder Jodi Luna advises those hoping to adopt to come prepared with veterinary records for other household pets, a requirement of the St. John Animal Shelter to ensure animals go to a responsible and loving home.

Those considering adoption may bring their pets to the adoption event to make sure the animals get along before bringing home a new addition.

Froggy’s Mission was named in honor of Luna’s late daughter, Julia Caroline “Froggy” Luna, who passed away unexpectedly in 2015 at age 11 after an abscess was discovered on her brain.

Julia would volunteer at the Animal Shelter after school and bring the dogs to PetSmart, which closed at 1332 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace in July 2018, shortly before Petsense opened in the same location in August.

“She used to say, if we could get everyone to adopt just one, there would be none,” Luna said.

Adoption fees are $100 for all dogs and $80 for cats.

The Adopt-a-thon will also feature adoptable foster dogs from Animal Rescue New Orleans.

There will be 11 vendors on-site, including Uniqueable Jewelry, Milenas ShabbyChic, Avon, Candy’s Goat Milks Soap and SwampWitchSpa.

“The reason that we have the vendors and the Blood Center coming out is kind of to maximize the people that are going to come in,” Leblanc said.

All blood donors receive two coupons for pet care, a free movie ticket with Acadiana Cinemas LaPlace and a “For Peeps Sake” Easter T-shirt.

For more information, visit Petsense at 1332 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace.