Family Pawz Fest to feature adoptions, pet portraits and well dressed dogs
Published 7:00 am Saturday, September 14, 2019
Brennan Ratcliff holds Confetti, a kitten she adopted Friday at the Pearl River County SPCA. The SPCA will be one of eight animal rescues at the Family Pawz day. Photo by Cathy Cook.
Photo by Cathy Cook.
Photo by Cathy Cook.
Photo by Cathy Cook.
Photo by Cathy Cook.
Donation boxes have sprung up across Picayune in preparation for the second Family Pawz Fest set for Sept. 28 at the Crosby Arboretum.
The event will benefit eight area animal rescues, from the well known Pearl River County SPCA, Crosby Arboretum and to rescues like Whisper of Hope, which takes in domestic animals and wildlife, said Sherri Lowe, Arboretum office associate.
“Our goal for this event is to increase pet health, wellness awareness, and adoptions and to improve the quality of life for all animals,” Lowe said.
The event will raise money for local rescues, such as For Bullies Sake, Just Cause Rescue, the Poplarville Sanctuary, Fixin the Coast, Animal Adoption Society Inc. and Manx Cats, Lowe said. All rescues will have representatives at tables who can provide information about the work they do, Lowe said.
Animals will be available for adoption at the event, Lowe said.
“The plan is to get some of the dogs and cats out of the shelters and adopted, but while making it fun for everybody,” Lowe said.
The family friendly event will feature games for kids like beanbag toss and pin a tail on the cat photo. There will be two food vendors and live music. Raffles for gift baskets and gift certificates will be offered as well, Lowe said, which attendees can enter by donating a pet supply item.
Dogs are welcome at the event and attendees can pay for a pet portrait, Lowe said. The event will also include a dog costume show.
The first Family Pawz Fest held last October attracted approximately 100 attendees, Lowe said, and this year the Arboretum hopes to double that number.
The Arboretum is already collecting donations of pet supply items such as food, treats, leashes, collars, harnesses, pet toys, blankets, bleach and laundry detergent, for use by the animal rescues, Lowe said. Donation boxes can be found at Paul Bounds Inc, Cale’s Farm Supply, the Picayune location of Petsense, Ford Realty, Picayune Main Street office, Watts Veterinary Services and the Crosby Arboretum gift shop. People who want to donate pet supply items can also order something from the Arboretum’s Amazon wish list and have it delivered to the Arboretum, Lowe said.
Entry to the event will cost $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, military personnel and first responders and $2 for children 12 and under. The event will last from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Arboretum. For more information, the Arboretum can be contacted at 601-799-2311.
