Pet Festivals

Pet Festivals All across the country, in cities large and small, summertime is the time for pet festivals.  These fun events – often held outdoors in city parks – are designed to bring pets and pet lovers together in celebration of our furry friends.  Imagine a city park filled with happy pups and owners, all meeting and greeting on a nice summer’s day.  Sounds like heaven! In addition to opportunities for socializing, these events also offer features like pet care demonstrations, veterinary tips, training tips, and information on local animal clubs.  Sometimes the event includes a pet walk for charity – this is a great way to get exercise for both yourself and your dog in a fun-loving environment.  Animal rescue groups are often on hand at pet festivals to talk about what they do and the programs they offer.  And some festivals even have onsite micro-chipping, pet artwork, and crafts like hand-made dog beds, leashes, food bowls, and grooming tools. The Human Society and other groups frequent pet fairs with adoptable animals and information on pet adoptions and rescues.  If you’re looking for a new dog or cat, this is a great time to talk to the experts about what breed, mix, or temperament would be best for your lifestyle.  The volunteers often know a great deal about the adult pets that are looking for new homes.  They can match personality types, energy level, and special needs, so you get teamed up with the best pet for you and your family. Some pet festivals have doggy games and contests like pet-and-owner look-alike, best costume, and fastest eater.  There might be a photo contest, a best trick contest, or an agility course for your dog to explore.  Your dog might feel especially jaunty in a colorful bandana or decorated collar and leash.  If you have the time, learn all you can about your local pet fair well in advance so you and your dog can participate in these fun activities. The largest Pet Fests in the country include the Orange County Summer Pooch Party and Ice Cream Social (with frozen treats for dogs) and the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival (with contests for pets that are dressed as sea creatures or seafood).  New York city hosts a series of Mayor’s Alliance and Maddie’s Pet Adoption Festivals each year in Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Manhattan – in Central Park and Madison Square Garden.  These fairs feature adoption information, micro-chipping, and information on pet training, grooming, health care, and T Touch therapy. A number of other festivals, from state fairs to Renaissance and Medieval Faires, welcome pets.  If you’re planning to take your dog to one of these events, be sure to take the temperature into account.  Is the day likely to be hot?  If so, will your dog have to walk on steamy black asphalt or will the event be held on grass?  Is your dog especially young, old, or ill?  These dogs have a much harder time with the heat than middle-aged dogs and might prefer to stay at home or to only make a short appearance at the festival. Be sure to take cold water and a water dish along with you as well as a plastic bag for cleaning up after your dog.  You may also want to have a dog first-aid kit, dog treats, and a Haltie or Gentle Leader for hard-to-control dogs.  If your dog likes water and mud, it’s also smart to carry an old beach towel in the car for drying your dog off after a fun day. Dogs love being out in the world with their people – especially with other dogs and pet-lovers!  This summer, take a little time to do something that’s fun for you and your pet.  Find out about your local pet festivals and plan to spend some time at one, meeting the other dogs and gathering useful tips.  It’s sure to be a highlight of the summer season.