She said Tauranga SPCA was full of pets to adopt, lots of adult cats and puppies and holding such an event gave the SPCA great exposure.
"It generates flow on and draws people into visiting the shelter."
She said adoption rates were usually quite steady after holding the event.
The SPCA tent, which had two puppy pens, kittens and rabbits, was a risky place to go near as the adorable furry faces tugged on the heart-strings and made just about everyone who got close want to adopt a new friend.
The SPCA brought six kittens, six puppies and two rabbits and, only an hour after the event started at 10am, two kittens and three puppies had been adopted.
There were a few hiccups before the day began, Ms Rawiri said, but she pointed out it would not be an event without some stress.
Police were scheduled to do a demonstration but could not make it because of the shooting incident earlier in the week, she said. But a constable did bring a potential police dog to show off to event-goers.
Ms Rawiri was pleased with the behaviour of all the dogs.
"All the dogs seem to be getting along, it's a great social opportunity for them.
"We only had one small incident where dogs fought in the first year but we haven't had one since."
The day was not just fun for pets, there were food stalls, a bouncy castle, pony rides, and competitions such as owner-pet resemblance, best doggy trick, and best dressed pet.
All funds raised at the event went to Tauranga SPCA to care for the thousands of lost, abandoned and unwanted dogs and cats that arrive at the shelter every year.
