Mr. Scruffs is recovering from an attack by an unknown animal. Hemingway's jaw had to be wired back together after he was hit by a car and left to suffer.

Kelli is the one-eyed cat born with an infection that so damaged her right eye that it had to be removed. Jake is a senior black declawed cat who would like to spend his last years being safe and pampered.

These survivors and other loving cats and dogs will be among the animals up for adoption when Animal Advocates of Moore County, in conjunction with Petfinder.com, hosts the Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable Pet Day Wednesday, Aug. 12, at PetSmart in Aberdeen.

Petfinder's national campaign will challenge local shelters and rescue groups across the country on this particular day to showcase their animals who are often overlooked and left behind.

"AAMC will answer that challenge by bringing Mr. Scruffs, Hemingway, Kelli and Jake to PetSmart along with some equally loving dogs and other cats to hopefully find them forever homes," says Barb Shepherd, director of operations at AAMC.

According to Petfinder "many factors can make a pet seem less adoptable, but by taking a closer look at the pet and his or her story, you might find a great match -- and become a hero to that animal."

"If you can open your heart and your home to a recovering animal or a handicapped one, one who needs a little extra attention or one who is deemed 'unadoptable' simply because of its color or age, you will be rewarded not only with love and loyalty but with the knowledge that you helped save one less fortunate," says Shepherd. "Every animal is entitled to a loving home."

For further information about the event and the animals available, call the AAMC office at (910) 944-5098.

"You can also visit the Petfinder.com Web site for a look at some of AAMC's cats and dogs," Shepherd says.