The Pearl River County SPCA is participating in the Krewe of the Pearl Parade for the second consecutive year and is seeking community participation. The animal shelter is also joining the Best Friends Animal Society in the national February pet adoption special.

On Feb. 11, the Krewe of the Pearl parade plan on featuring adoptable dogs. However, in order to bring the joy of puppies to the parade, the PRC SPCA needs volunteers to walk the dogs, walk with cat signs or help hold the shelter’s banner. The PRC SPCA also encourages people to participate in the parade on golf carts to help bring attention to the adoptable animals. Golf cart entries are $10 per cart.

“This is a great opportunity to show the community how adorable the animals we have at the shelter are. We hope they bring joy to the people watching and also find their forever homes in the process,” Maria Diamond, PRC SPCA public affairs officer, said.

During the organization’s first year participating in the parade, the PRC SPCA had seven volunteers walking shelter dogs, a number Diamond hopes to double this time around.

“Giving the animals as much visibility as possible will help them find their new families and also help the people of the community find their new best friend,” Diamond said. “It can be truly magical.”

Last year, while the PRC SPCA volunteers were walking dogs in the parade, a Picayune resident’s life took an unexpected turn.

As over 10 dogs pranced down the street, that resident was reconnected with his long lost dog, who was part of the parade.

“It was an amazing sight. It’s moments like that that keep us going,” Diamond said.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the parade must contact Cindy McDonald, PRC SPCA volunteer coordinator, at 601-798-8000 to register.

In other news, from Feb. 1-14, the PRC SPCA is participating in the Best Friends Animal Society’s national “Give Love” February pet adoption promotion for the kittens and cats.

Instead of an adoption fee of $80 for a cat or $100 for a kitten, people can adopt a cat for an adoption fee of $14 at the PRC SPCA.

“Every day some 9,000 animals are killed in our nation’s shelters simply because they don’t have a home. When you choose to adopt, you not only save that animal’s life, you create the space to help us save more homeless pets in our community,” PRC SPCA news release states.

The majority of cats and kittens at the shelter are part of this promotion, Diamond said. Dogs are not included in the promotion.

For more information on the PRC SPCA “Give Love” promotion, contact the shelter at 601-798-8000.