Pet-a-Palooza returns Saturday

Annual animal event set for Sam Boyd fields

It's like Disneyland for dogs. The annual Pet-a-Palooza event scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Sam Boyd Stadium practice fields is a play day for canines who already have a home and a place for new dogs to be adopted.

For the past four years, Pet-a-Palooza has grown in size and participation. This year's increase in the number of dogs given to shelters not only makes the event an outing, but also a crucial service for organizations that provide homes for abandoned pets.

Many shelters are nearly at capacity. Doug Duke of the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said he believes that the event is like the Super Bowl of pet adoptions and fund-raising efforts for area shelters.

"Most people bring their dogs with them for a day in the park," Duke said. "There are of course rescue and shelter groups who come to adopt animals, and all the door money is split between groups. There are a lot of big events for the individual groups. In terms of one big event to benefit the community and the organizations trying to save animals lives, this is it."

Duke said the event offers prospective adopters the chance to bring their current pet to see how well it bonds with a potential addition to the family.

"When people bring their dogs with them, they can better integrate the new dog into the family," Duke said. "One thing in adoption and rescue that's very important is that you want to make sure the dog is getting adopted into the whole family, not just the person who went to the shelter that day."

In addition to the people who bring their pets, and the local animal lover organizations who bring souvenirs and pet items to sell, local radio stations KMZQ-FM, 100.5 FM, and KMXB-FM, 94.1 FM, will be broadcasting live from the event. Epic Records' Los Lonely Boys are scheduled to perform as are Lou Mack's Top Flight K-9 Frisbee Dog Team.

Other local agencies such as pet hotels and groomers will be on hand to offer their services.

But the focus of the event is the adoption, the fund-raising to help shelters and the awareness generated by the organizations who want to promote the adoption of animals as a commitment that should be taken very seriously.

"Instead of a cold environment where you're trying to sell something, the animals are there," Duke said. "You're encouraged to hang out for a while. Besides adopting out the animals, we're able to reach people in the community who want to make a difference. We always need people to help, either through adopting, donating, fostering animals or volunteering.

"We've got a record surrendering of animals, and euthanasia at other shelters has gone up. Most people look at our community and say we're going in the wrong direction. A common misconception about shelter animals is that they're damaged goods. Ninety percent or more of animals who land in the shelters are there through no fault of their own. It's because people have failed them. All the animals up for adoption at this event are spayed or neutered and have their vaccines. We've got a lot of good people and organizations working together to do a lot of no kill work."

Pet-a-Palooza asks for a $2 donation, and parking at Sam Boyd Stadium is $5 per car. Those interested can visit www.Mix941.fm.


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