On Saturday, the Suffolk Humane Society and Suffolk Animal Control will join other shelters in Virginia in hosting a Midnight March Madness Adoptathon at the Suffolk Animal Shelter, 124 Forest Glen Drive.

Instead of closing at 3 p.m., volunteers and staff will don their flannel pajamas, fuzzy slippers and comfy robes or the attire of their favorite sports team, and greet visitors until midnight. The event’s goal is to find homeless animals as many loving forever homes as possible.

As a way of saying thank you for visiting the shelter that evening, visitors will be offered refreshments and a chance at door prizes. Suffolk Humane Society volunteers will be available to talk about the organization and the adoptable animals at Suffolk Animal Control.

“We encourage everyone to take a break from the March Madness basketball games, come out to the shelter and adopt a pet who would love to join your family and play ball or be a couch potato with you,” said Linda Shannon, co-events director of Suffolk Humane. “It’s a wonderful way to do something different on a Saturday night.”

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 538-3030, option 5, or visit www.suffolkhumanesociety.com. For a list of participating shelters, visit www.adoptdontshop.com/MidnightMadness.

The Suffolk Humane Society is dedicated to promoting the welfare of companion animals in the community through sponsoring spay/neuter programs, placing homeless animals in loving permanent homes, and providing quality humane education with an emphasis on responsible pet ownership.