Puppies will prance and cats will cavort Saturday at Southern States, 1710 Jake Alexander Boulevard West.

The Rowan Animal Shelter is hosting an animal adoption event starting Saturday at 10 a.m. with help from local nonprofit Shelter Guardians. The adoption event will last until 2 p.m. and also include an animal food drive.

Nina Dix, of Shelter Guardians, said volunteers at the event at Southern States would be walking dogs. Attendees will also be able to play with puppies, even if they decide not to adopt, she said.

In addition to shelter animals, Local rescue groups will also have pets for adoption.

It’s the first official, organized adoption event, Dix said.

She said it’s important for people to remember that adopting an animal is a long-term commitment.

“For anybody adopting, you want to make sure its a good fit for you, your family and the animal,” she said.

Dix said donations toward Shelter Guardians would be accepted during the event. A majority portion of the donations will pay for intake vaccines at the shelter.

Shelter Guardians is also working with the Rowan County Animal Shelter to expand the current portion of the building. A separate cat wing is being funded by a Winston-Salem philanthropist.