Woodland Hills couple Joy Nadel and her husband, Craig, work to save animals from being euthanized.

They do it through their 10year-old nonprofit Rescue Me Inc. and an increasingly popular pet adoption marathon that has been held for the last three years at the Camarillo Animal Shelter.

"It is a lot of work, but you know they need us," Joy Nadel said of the Dog-gone Cat-a-strophic Hugs, Slurps and Slobbers Adopt-athon scheduled for July 27.

The first year of the adoptathon, a handful of animals were adopted. Last year, 128 pets- 84 dogs, 33 cats, three rabbits, two chickens, two rats, one parrot, a turtle, a rooster and a guinea pig- found homes as a result of the event.

This year looks to be even bigger, with more entertainment and vendors than before, including comedian and animal activist Elayne Boosler, Nadel said.

She said she won't know, however, the number of animals that will be available for adoption until the day of the event.

Donna Gillesby, kennel supervisor, said the adopt-athon is so important that the shelter, normally closed on Sundays, will open for the event.

"Joy and Craig are wonderful to us," Gillesby said. "We truly enjoy this event every year; it's fun."

And the timing couldn't be better. In the days following the Fourth of July, so many dogs, cats and other animals frightened by fireworks turn up at the shelter. On Monday, the facility had nearly 270 animals.

"My kennels are full again," Gillesby said. "We're still picking up strays."

Nadel, Rescue Me Inc.'s only full-time volunteer, spends her days locating foster and permanent homes for animals, particularly dogs with a handicap. She works with 12 Los Angeles city and county shelters and the Camarillo facility.

The adopt-athon will also draw attention to the Camarillo shelter, which Nadel said is impressive because it has an animal hospital on the premises and is large enough to house one dog to a run and one cat to a cage, cutting down on fights and injuries.

"The staff over there is absolutely amazing. They really care about the animals," she said. "A lot of people don't know it exists; it truly is a beautiful place."

Only interested in pure breeds? Nadel said they can be found at shelters, and many come with American Kennel Club paperwork.

"If you're dead set on a pure bred, go to the shelters; there are tons of them there," she said.

Ultimately, the Nadels want to buy property in Ventura County to build a nokill animal rescue center, and they favor the Camarillo and Somis area. They'll accept monetary and land donations.

Nadel said everyone, even those not interested in pet adoption, are invited to the event to enjoy the park surroundings and free entertainment.

"It's just a great, great day to come out," she said.

Gillesby said the animals- turtles, bunnies, rats, birds, dogs and cats and about 20 kittens- will be ready. "We'll get them spayed and neutered and put bandanas on their heads."

The cost to adopt a dog or cat is $125 and includes sterilization, their first shots, a microchip identification implant and a complementary health exam at most veterinarian clinics throughout Ventura County. The Camarillo facility has a 14-day return policy and offers those who adopt a dog a six-week obedience training course free of charge.

To view animals at the Camarillo shelter, visit www.vcar.us. For more animals, click on the links to other websites.

The fourth annual Dog-gone Cat-a-strophic Hugs, Slurps and Slobbers Adopt-athon is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, Sun., July 27 at 600 Aviation Drive in the Camarillo Airport. For more information, call (805) 388-4341.