Pets in the Park hoofs it up Sunday

The official pet festival of the Capital region is taking place on Sunday and everyone involved expects that it will raise the 'woof' for fundraising for the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS).

The 20th annual Pets in the Park happens Sunday and the rain-or-shine event should draw a crowd of a thousand breeds, said Shawna Randolph, the organization's spokesperson.

"Any kind of companion animal is welcome," she said, "as long as the owner is able to control it. We see anything from dogs and cats to ferrets on harnesses and guinea pigs on harnesses, rabbits. Two years ago, a man brought a few of his tortoises. We just never know what kind of animals are going to show up."

"There were snakes but they weren't on a leash," she joked. "They were wrapped around people's necks and arms."

The popular event is the society's signature fundraising effort. It takes over the park with a day-long slate of activities, such as the Tail Blazers 5K Fun Run and the 2.5K pledged walk. The goal is to bring in $145,000 to match what was raised last year.

The money will be used to support the many animals and animal programs at the society. Randolph said the fundraising aspect is important but that shouldn't deter the public from experiencing the grand party atmosphere.

"People sometimes think that it's just a day where people come and run and walk, but it's a whole festival," she said. "We still expect there to be a large turnout. People will just bring raincoats and rubber boots and still have a lot of fun."

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the event, there will be a bunch of 20 themed features including an EHS museum (featuring milestones from the last 20 years), a 20-minute pet behavior evaluation, learn the top 20 pet behaviour myths, the 20 ways to prepare your pet for an emergency and the 20 hottest pet toys.

The beagles are ready to land

Before tomorrow's big beast event for the EHS, dog lovers can rejoice at Saturday's running of the Beagle Paws Dog Days of Summer Walk-A-Thon. Registration for the event starts at 10:30 a.m. at Lions Park. The walk begins at 11 a.m.

The organization started in Newfoundland in 2002 as the vision of founder Sheila Lewis who wanted to bring awareness of the plight of beagles in her province. She called the dogs "more than just hunting dogs – they are pets, too."

Ten years later, Beagle Paws is now the country's largest beagle rescue organization.

May Sutherland, the head of the Edmonton chapter, said beagles are popular pet choices in this area and that's why Beagle Paws is working to make sure they are treated with respect.

"They use beagles for hunting rabbits in Newfoundland. There are a number of hunters who just don't take good care of the dogs. Beagles are really great family pets," she said. "They're good with children. They're very social. They're a nice size for the city."

All dogs that participate will receive a summer collar cover.

Visit www.beaglepaws.com for more information.

SCARS gets furry friends out for fun

Another canine-only event is counting down the days before it can take over Lions Park.

The Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS) is putting on its eighth annual Tails on the Trails Paws-a-Thon on Saturday, July 7. The organization has been taking care of northern Alberta's neglected and abandoned animals for the last 10 years, and this event is one of its biggest fundraisers of the year.

Whether or not they have a dog with them, members of the public are invited to join in the fun, rain or shine. Organizing committee director Mike Cunnington said people should know how much their support is needed in northern communities like Athabasca or Wabasca.

"It's critically important, particularly to the communities that we serve that don't have their own humane societies," he said.

SCARS adopts out about 900 to 1,000 animals every year. Its goal is to raise $35,000. The event is expected to bring out a few hundred humans and their pets as well.

Call 780-466-SCAR (7227) or visit www.scarscare.org for more information.