HARRINGTON — It is days like last weekend’s Mega Adoption Event at the Delaware State Fairgrounds that reinforces the love of their jobs among staff and volunteers for the Brandywine Valley SPCA.

In fact, the fifth Mega Adoption Event hosted by the Brandywine Valley SPCA resulted in record numbers with the adoption of 1,181 pets, including 716 dogs and 465 cats.

Those numbers far exceeded the organizer’s expectation, according to Adam Lamb, chief executive officer for the BVSPCA.

“It was really inspiring to see so many families come out to give these great pets a second chance,” Mr. Lamb said. “We’re already getting updates from families about how much they love their new cat or dog.

“That’s the hope and dream that motivates our staff and volunteers every day, and especially on the most difficult days.”

Adopted animals at Saturday and Sunday’s Mega Adoption Event ranged from puppies and kittens to seniors and long-time shelter residents, including one senior dog that had been at the shelter for 358 days.

Just one dog and 11 cats remained at the end of the event.

Linda Torelli, marketing director for the Brandywine Valley SPCA, said prior to last weekend’s record-setting adoption event that she enjoys going to the events at around 6 a.m. and seeing all the anxious people already waiting in line to see the animals.

“It gives me goosebumps. It never gets old,” she said. “There really is a dog or a cat for everybody.”

The BVSPCA holds a Mega Adoption Event twice a year, one in June and one in December, and this is the fourth in a row to place more than 1,000 animals to their forever homes.

Laura Page, community engagement director for the Brandywine Valley SPCA, couldn’t wait for last Saturday to arrive.

After all, in the past three years of hosting Mega Adoption Events, they had placed 4,061 formerly homeless animals into homes.

“We’re very excited about all of the happily-ever-after stories that will be created this weekend,” Ms. Page said last week.

The BVSPCA hosts the Mega Adoption Event and brings all the animals from its four adoption locations, with the exception of a few that might find the event venue overwhelming.

In addition, eight shelter partners participated in last weekend’s event, including Animal Rescue League of Berks County, BARCS (Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Center), Crossing Paths Animal Rescue, Currituck County Animal Shelter, Delaware Humane Association, Faithful Friends, Northeastern North Carolina SPCA, and St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center.