By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
Those looking for information about their pets, or maybe looking to pick up a new furry friend, will want to head to Boone County Sunday.
PetFest 2016 takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Boone Woods Park in Burlington.
PetFest, sponsored by Friends of the Shelter, Inc. / SPCA KY , is the major fundraiser for the organization.
Friends of the Shelter is a nonprofit organization that has been providing support for Northern Kentucky Animal Shelters for more than 20 years.
Jan Chapman with Friends of the Shelter said the group assists shelters in Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Grant, Gallatin, and Pendleton counties.
“Over the past several years we have focused mostly on making low cost spay/neuter available to citizens of those counties’” Chapman said. “This is the best way to be a “friend of the shelters” as this reduces intake and therefore euthanasia.”
PetFest always takes place on the last Sunday in June and includes lots of adoptable animals, vendors, games, demonstrations and a silent auction.
Friends of the Shelter offers this top ten list of reasons to attend PetFest 2016:
Reason #10- We’ll be offering Canine Good Citizen certification!
You know your favorite pooch is the greatest. Have him/her evaluated by Dae Grodin of Dog-Abilities LLC and have a certificate to prove it! Learn all about the testing and requirements to meet the CGC requirements at the AKC site
http://www.akc.org/dog-owne…/training/canine-good-citizen/…/
Check in at the Dog Abilities booth at least 15 minutes prior to the 2:30-3:30 testing or preregister with Dae prior to Petfest at dog.abilities@gmail.com. There is a fee for materials.
Reason #9 Great Silent Auction Items!
Donated by our great supporters at Paperphanalia, this beautiful Vera Bradley backpack is stuffed with items for your favorite feline. For you sports enthusiasts we have tickets to Red’s games, golf outings and check out the Bengal’s football signed by Gio Bernard. There’s so much more- certificates for boarding, vet care, grooming, restaurant gift certificates. If you or your company would like to donate, just message us with details. We’ll also be selling Macy’s Shop for a Cause certificates in the auction tent. You could win a $500 dollar shopping spree!
Reason #8. K-9 Games and Contests!
Compete for prizes in our contests:
Fastest Sit and Fastest Down
Doggy Dash
Best Trick
Bob for Hotdogs
Most Original Costume
Games and Contest will run from 1-2
Check in at the Dog-Abilities LLC booth prior to 1:00. Let the fun begin!
Reason #7 Ask-a-Vet
Have you ever wondered how you could make your cat’s or dog’s visit to the vet less stressful? Or what immunizations your pet needs to stay healthy? Dr. Hale with Hebron Animal Hospital will be available from 1-3 near the picnic shelter to answer questions you may have about pet care (no requests for diagnosis or treatment on-site please.)
And joining us at PetFest for the first time is Dr. Kristi Baker with Veterinary Medical Center of Independence. Please stop by her booth and meet her and learn about her services. She has been a great supporter of our low cost spay/neuter efforts!
Reason #6 Ask-a-Trainer
Have questions about dog training? Dae Grodin with Dog-Abilities LLC will be on hand to answer your concerns. Don’t forget to email her if you have questions about the Canine Good Citizen Certification available at Petfest this year- dog.abilities@gmail.com.
And welcome to Jim Devenney with For Paws who will be at Petfest for the first time. Jim is a Certified Canine Obedience Trainer and Therapy Dog Tester/Observer. For Paws also provides in-home pet care.
Stop by and meet Dae and Jim. We are fortunate to have them with us this year!
Reason #5 Some great new vendors will be joining us!
Check out Water Dog Jewelry for some beautiful unique pieces. Have questions about feeding your pets a healthy diet? Pet Wants of Florence can answer your question. We’ll be welcoming a local 4-H dog club “Wiggles and Wags” for the first time. Stop by and say hello!
Hebron Family Chiropractic will be back this year and longtime supporters Linnemann Family Funeral Home and Cremation Center Pet Services and Faithful Friends Pet Memory Center.
Pet Fest also welcomes back popular Animal Communicator Ann Baumbach.
Reason #4 You get to see a lot of dogs
People tell us one of their favorite things about Petfest is just seeing all the different breeds of dogs that attend. We always meet some new dogs every year. And we love seeing one of our favorite breeds-“mutt”- every year. There’s always lots of these great dogs in attendance.
So come on out and dog (and people) watch. Enjoy our food tent with pizza, hot dogs, cold drinks and more! There’s lots to see and do!
Reason #3 Thinking about adopting a new family member? We’ll have lots of shelters and rescues joining us!
Boone County Animal Shelter will be there with their Adoption Waggin’ and Kenton County Animal Shelter will be on hand too. LuvFurMutts Animal Rescue will be back as well as Save Our Shelter Dogs Rescue, Save Cats & Obliterate OverPopulation, Inc. (scoop, Inc.), Pampered Pets Animal Rescue, PawPrints Animal Rescue, PAWS of Dearborn County, and Lucky Tales Rescue. Come out and meet these shelters and rescues. You’re sure to find a new dog or cat that fits your family’s lifestyle!
Reason #2. Christe Patt with Kentucky Search Dog Association will be on hand.
She will talk about the organization and their important work. The entire family will enjoy her demonstration at 11:45. Questions? Christe will be available all day at her booth Water Dog Jewelry.
Reason #1. It’s just great family fun!
No admission fee or parking charge. Just come out with the family- 2 legged and 4 legged members for a great day of dog watching, adoptions, demonstrations, contests, vendors, and food!
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com
