NATCHEZ — When the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society had an open adoption drive Saturday, the Miss-Lou showed just how much puppy love it had.

Hosted at Stine’s Hardware, the drive resulted in 16 animals being adopted.

“The community response has just been overwhelming,” Humane Society board member Susan Mingee said. “Everybody has been very excited to come and see the animals.”

The goal of the open adoption was to help make space at the shelter, which is often crowded this time of year.

Though the day was not without its animal-related mishaps and their accompanying smells, shelter manager Pat Cox agreed that the drive was a success.

“It was a good day,” she said.

Children milled around the animal cages, petting kittens until they purred. Volunteers fought to get their shoes free from frisky puppies and adoptive pet owners asked questions about what tests and medical exams their new pets have had or will receive before they take them.

Those who did adopt will have to wait a couple of days before the new member of the family can come home.

“We take them back to the shelter so they can have an exit exam,” Mingee said. “That’s so we can make sure one last time they aren’t leaving us with something they shouldn’t take out there.”

Even though many animals were adopted Saturday, there are still plenty more at the shelter, Cox said.

To see the animals at the shelter, located at 392 Liberty Road, stop by between the hours of 2 and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The costs for adoptions are $35 for cats and $45 for dogs. The costs include the fees for spaying or neutering the animals to control the spread of the pet population, and also includes the cost of vaccination and de-worming.