The ASPCA and the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus (CAPC) delivered a little luck last week to some puppies and kittens looking for loving homes—just in time for St. Patrick’s Day!

On March 15, the ASPCA hosted Paws for Luck, a special event that brought adorable, adoptable pets directly to Capitol Hill to highlight the importance of pet adoption and the critical role that rescues and shelters play in the lives of homeless animals.

Rocky from Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation wore a special hat for the occasion!

Legislators and congressional staff spent the morning kissing and cuddling with over 20 adoptable dogs and cats who were onsite from five D.C.-area rescues: Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, Humane Rescue Alliance, Last Chance Animal Rescue and Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation. A trio of fuzzy puppies stole the show as guests lined up to snap selfies with them. The Wounded Paw Project was also on hand to highlight their success in training shelter and rescue dogs as service animals for veterans. 

The ASPCA’s Nancy Perry with former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole.

Twenty-one members of Congress were in attendance to show their support, including CAPC co-Chairs Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL). Former U.S. Senator for North Carolina and Secretary of both Transportation and Labor Elizabeth Dole joined the ASPCA in hosting the event and was there advocating for animal protection and adoption of shelter and rescue pets.

During Paws for Luck, Rep. Blumenauer spoke to the crowd, calling attention to the role pet adoption plays in saving lives and urging his colleagues to join him on the Caucus. The bipartisan Caucus holds regular briefings to raise awareness of animal welfare issues and helps to pass of animal-friendly federal laws.

Rep. Maloney holds an adoptable pup.

All in all, more than 1,000 attendees made their way through the event and several people filled out adoption applications. 

The ASPCA’s Kathryn Kopanke cuddles with an adoptable dog.

We want to thank the members of Congress and their staffs, as well as the rescues and shelters who were able to join. We also extend a special thanks to Reps. Blumenauer and Buchanan for their steadfast commitment to increasing protections for animals.

Is your member of Congress in the CAPC? If not, please urge them to join by visiting the ASPCA Advocacy Center now.

Kittens were in attendance from Animal Welfare League of Arlington.

Rep. Carbajal meets a dog from Homeward Trails Animal Rescue.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, CAPC Co-Chair.

The ASPCA’s Katlin Kraska with Rep. Correa.

An attendee snaps a selfie with an adoptable pup.