Published June 3, 2026 by Sara Oliver. Last Updated June 5, 2026.

The hottest festival in town didn’t feature chart-topping musicians—it featured dozens of adorable, adoptable dogs looking for loving homes. Check out the tail-wagging headliners who had a barking good time at Poochella!

Poochella Was a Great Success for Adoptable Dogs

The ultimate festival returned to PETA’s Bea Arthur Dog Park in Norfolk, VA, on Saturday, bringing together animal shelters, dog guardians, and compassionate community members for a celebration of adoption. Representatives from nine local shelters arrived with some very special guests: dogs eager to meet their future families.

Guests picked up dog care and training tips from shelter professionals, enjoyed delicious vegan burgers donated by Abbots, and even mingled with local A-listers, including Norfolk Councilwoman Courtney Doyle and Sheriff Joe Baron.

But the biggest attraction of the day was the opportunity to connect with dogs waiting for a second chance—like Dos, a formerly homeless dog who connected with his fur-ever family at this year’s Poochella event!

Poochella Is a Festival With a Life-Changing Purpose—And YOU Can Help

Missed Poochella? You can still make a difference for dogs in need.

Every wagging tail at Poochella belonged to an individual who wanted the same thing: a safe place to sleep, a loving family, and a chance to be cherished. With shelters bursting at the seams with animals in need, PETA is inviting everyone to make some noise for animals by adopting their next animal companion.

Millions of homeless dogs and cats struggle to survive every day in the U.S. Meanwhile, shelters across the country are overflowing with companion animals in need of care. Many of these facilities are at maximum capacity—forcing them to make difficult decisions to ensure that they can continue providing care to animals in need—and the problem is exacerbated even further by the pet trade. For every animal purchased from a breeder or pet store, an animal in a shelter misses out on a chance at finding a home.

You can make a difference to help curb the animal homelessness and overpopulation crisis. If you already have a companion animal, make sure they are “fixed” to prevent more animals from being born into a world that can’t support them. If you’re ready for the commitment of bringing a new companion animal into your home, always adopt—don’t shop. E-mail [email protected] to learn more about animals who are available for adoption now.