The country's first and oldest animal welfare organization is getting ready to mark a major milestone. The ASPCA is celebrating its 150th anniversary next Sunday, April 10. The organization first set up shop here in the city in 1866 and has been helping animals find their FUR-ever homes ever since.

Chrissia Pulliam is looking for a new best friend — of the four-legged variety.

She's come to the right place, the ASPCA adoption center in Yorkville. 

Claire Perry, who is more of a cat person, agrees.

"I mean there's tons of animals out there that are looking for homes so we might as well take care of them first," Perry said.

They say they came to the ASPCA because of its long history of helping animals in need. In fact it was founded 150 years ago right here in New York City.

"Making New York city the epicenter for the animal welfare movement in the nation," said Joseph Texiera with the ASPCA.

This century and a half milestone will be marked by a citywide celebration on April 10. The festivities will include the first annual NYC Paws Parade with Animals leading their humans from Madison Square Park to Union Square.

"Part of the parade will have the NYC mounted unit, ASPCA staff, the Alliance for NYC's animals, the FDNY, other rescue organizations and Bernadette Peters will be the grand marshal," Texiera said.

A massive Adopt-a-palooza will then be held at Union Square with another in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.  The events will feature over 300 spayed and neutered animals ready to find forever homes.

Normally there are adoption fees that vary depending on the organization, but next Sunday those costs will be covered by Animal Planet.  That means hundreds of dogs, cats and rabbits will be available with the fee waived.

Of course you don't have to wait until Sunday. The ASPCA adoption center on East 92nd Street is open daily to anyone who has room for a new family member in their heart and their home.

When you adopt you are not only saving a life but you are also giving an animal a home that it needs.  And it helps the shelters and rescues too because when you adopt you free up space and resources for them to help even more animals in need.

For more information about the 150th anniversary events, visit apsca.org.