SALISBURY — For a zombie, Kisses seemed pretty happy. A pit bull-dachshund mix, Kisses was one of the first dogs adopted from Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary, which officially opened earlier this year.

He was covered in green bacteria-colored stripes Saturday morning, but didn’t seem to mind the hustle-and-bustle of the impending costume contest. Kisses came as a zombie zebra.

Pam and Kayla Hamby brought Kisses to the contest, along with Pam’s dog, Max Hamby.

Max was dressed as a lion. He won best dressed. Kisses won most unique.

The Hambys said they know several of the people who work at Faithful Friends and have helped groom some of the dogs before.

Kayla said Saturday’s event gave adopters a chance to return and see other animals and talk to fellow dog-lovers.

“We love what they do and how they go about it,” she said.

Among the costumes Saturday were Batman and Robin, a Zumba instructor, a circus clown and a cowboy, among others.

Steve Matis and former bomb-sniffing dog, Raka, also returned for the festivities.

Shannon Moore, president of the board and the event’s organizer, said the no-kill shelter is planning to host two events a year to bring people to the Grace Church Road facility.

Since the official opening in March, she said, at least 170 animals have been adopted.

The purpose for the events, she said, was to show some of the animals they have and to “keep the spirit in the community.”

“The community has been very supportive of the shelter,” Moore said.