Manhattan —

Coming home for the holidays means a lot to every New Yorker, even the furry ones.

The Mayor’s Alliance for New York City Animals and the Petco Foundation joined forces to kickoff a two-day Whiskers to Wonderland adoption drive. The event, part Petco’s National Adoption Weekend, featured more than 300 animals from 30 non-profit shelters citywide. Adoption sites were set up at Petco’s Union Square and Columbus Square locations.

The event comes in the midst of renewed efforts by city agencies and non-profits to decrease the number of animals in shelters. Euthanasia rates have decreased since 2004 and are now the lowest in any major city nationwide. There are hopes the record $12 million allocated in the city budget to Animal Care and Control in 2014 will bring down the rates further.