Takoma Park MD
9-17-2026 9:47pm

At the Big Bad Woof: Five Puppies, a Handful of Cats, and the Quiet Work of Rescue

Three spotted puppies huddled together. Stock photo.

Published September 17, 2026 · 4 min read

It's a Sunday afternoon at the Big Bad Woof in Takoma Park, and the energy is exactly what you'd expect—half neighborhood hangout, half controlled chaos. Near the front, five 8-week-old puppies are already hard at work—being adorable, being oblivious, and, hopefully, finding homes.

This is a Petey & Furends pop-up adoption event: Sunday, September 20, from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at 6960 Maple St NW. Dogs and cats, inside and outside, weather permitting. Kids welcome. Free to walk in.

But here's what's actually happening underneath the puppy cuteness. This isn't a pet store. It's the public face of an all-volunteer, lifesaving rescue operation that runs on foster homes, behavioral assessments, and a matchmaking process designed to make adoptions stick.

Who Is Petey & Furends?

Petey & Furends is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Rockville, operating across the DMV. The mission, in their words, is reducing neglect, abuse, and homelessness in companion animals through research- and evidence-based matchmaking. Not vibes. Not guesswork. Matchmaking.

Where do the animals come from? Partnerships with shelters in low-income rural areas along the East Coast—places where pet overpopulation and inadequate funding put hundreds of highly adoptable dogs and cats at risk of euthanasia. Petey & Furends pulls them out, places them in foster homes, and works to find them the right fit.

Their values read like a phone reminder you'd actually want: compassion, adaptability, teamwork, education, responsiveness. And then this, straight from their site: "We will go the extra mile to save a life, always."

What "Matchmaking" Actually Means

Most rescues have an application. Petey & Furends has a process, and it's thorough.

First, you fill out an adoption survey—separate versions for dogs and cats. Then the Matchmaking Team contacts your landlord, your vet, and your references. You schedule a call with a Matchmaker. Then you work together to find your new best friend.

They use the research-based Meet Your Match assessment, which identifies each animal's personality and helps place them in homes where they'll actually thrive. It's the difference between "this dog is cute" and "this dog is right for your life."

The fees are transparent: puppies and dogs under 8 are $475. Mature dogs (8+) are $350. A single cat or kitten is $200; two cats or kittens together are $325. Everything includes vaccinations, medical care, spay/neuter for animals over 6 months, and transportation. The organization is volunteer-run, so fees go directly back into saving more animals.

A few requirements worth knowing before you fall in love: animals must be kept indoors. Dog adopters must sign up for at least four behavioral training classes—yes, that's mandatory. Cat adopters must agree not to declaw. Kittens under 4 months must be adopted in pairs unless there's already a cat at home. And adoptions are restricted to the DC Metropolitan Area. No exceptions.

The Foster Network That Makes It Possible

Every animal Petey & Furends rescues stays in a volunteer foster home—they call those volunteers Lifesavers—upon arriving in the DC area. Without them, the rescue simply can't operate. The more Lifesavers, the more lives saved.

Lifesavers receive training and ongoing support. If you've ever thought about fostering but weren't sure where to start, this is a well-organized place to begin. The Lifesaver Survey for dogs and cats is on their website.

What to Expect on Sunday

The event runs 12:00 to 2:00 PM at the Big Bad Woof, 6960 Maple St NW, Washington, DC 20012. There will be dogs and cats, inside and outside. The Matchmaking Team will be on hand to talk through the process.

One honest note: the puppies will probably go fast. If you fall for one, be ready to move quickly—applications, references, the works. But the event isn't only about the puppies. There will be other adoptable dogs and cats, and plenty of people to answer questions.

Bring a photo ID, a willingness to fill out a survey on the spot, and—if you're serious—your landlord's and vet's contact information.

The Broader Picture

Petey & Furends works alongside Homeward Trails, DC PAWS Rescue, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, and the Humane Rescue Alliance to address pet homelessness across the region. In 2024, the Humane Rescue Alliance placed 135 dogs in foster care and adopted out 44 in a single week during a shelter crisis.

This is a region that shows up for animals. But rescue work is a treadmill—there's always another shelter, another litter, another animal at risk. Adopting helps. Fostering helps. Donating and volunteering help. There's a role for everyone, including people who can't adopt.

After Sunday

The puppies will likely be gone by Monday. That's a good thing—it means they found homes. But the need doesn't stop.

Petey & Furends lists adoptable dogs and cats on their website. Their Lifesaver program is always looking for fosters. And events continue through the fall: Beltway Barks in Rockville on September 27, a Rockville Petco event on October 4, and the Fairlington Fall Pet Festival on October 17.

A neighbor's post got this article written. The least we can do is pass the word along. If you're thinking about adding a pet to your family, Sunday is a good place to start. If you're not—maybe someone you know is.

What to Know Before You Go

  • What: Petey & Furends Pop-Up Adoption Event
  • When: Sunday, September 20, 12:00–2:00 PM
  • Where: The Big Bad Woof, 6960 Maple St NW, Washington, DC 20012
  • Cost: Free to attend
  • Bring: Photo ID, landlord and vet contact info (if applying)

#PeteyAndFurends #TakomaPark #PetAdoption #DMVRescue #AdoptDontShop #BigBadWoof #CulturalDMV

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