Your mutt may not make it to the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club dog show but Rover could win prizes for waggiest tail, cutest costume and cleverest trick during the first ever Pet Fest next week at Heritage Wood secondary.
Three Grade 12 students at the Port Moody school hope they are barking up the right tree with this fun event that will raise funds for equipment and pet food for two local animal shelters.
Coquitlam Animal Shelter and Katie's Place, a no-kill cat shelter in Maple Ridge, will be the beneficiaries of HWSS Pet Fest, to be held Friday, April 8, and organizers Kiaunna Lee, Nicole Huang and Amanda Dunbar want to raise funds as well as awareness about the importance of adopting shelter animals.
"It all started because of my love for animals," said Lee, who came up with the idea for Pet Fest and then planned it with the help of her school mates through their independent studies course on philanthropy.
"This is about taking action about something you are interested in," said Dunbar, who grew up with a black labrador shepherd mix that recently passed away after 13 years with her family.
Lee said it's important to remind people that adoption is an option because too many animals have to live out their years at an animal shelter. Her family adopted two cats in recent years and both are happy in their new homes, Lee said.
"I want people to consider adoption because, when I visit a shelter, I feel bad for some of the animals. It's kind of a hopeless feeling and it's nice to give them a home."
The students have permission for animals to be at their school and everyone is invited to participate and win prizes that have been donated by local pet stores.
It costs $2 to get into Pet Fest and $2 for participating in the dog show (with the fee going towards admission). Costumed pets are also welcome. Prizes are available in the following categories:
• cleverest dog;
• mysterious heritage;
• waggiest tail;
• judges' favourite;
• most unusual costume.
For $2, people can also submit funny pet videos to [email protected] (with the registration fee also going towards event admission). To vote for the funniest pet video, check out the event https://www.facebook.com/events/516714541826826/https://www.facebook.com/events/516714541826826/ Prizes will be awarded to the winners of the funniest pet video contest.
The Details
HWSS Pet Fest runs Friday, April 8 at Heritage Woods secondary, 1300 David Ave., Port Moody, from 3:15 to 6 p.m. Cost: $2 to enter and $2 to participate in the dog show or funny pet video. Proceeds raised go to local animal shelters.
