A fundraiser returns to Central Florida this weekend as thousands of dogs accompany their humans to Lake Eola in an annual tradition.
Pet Alliance invites animal lovers to the 32nd annual Paws in the Park on Saturday. Visitors can enjoy a signature pet costume contest, complete with “celebrity” judges and prizes, followed by a full day of activities for humans and dogs.
The festival will include an agility course, beer garden, food trucks, shopping and plenty of pet-centric stalls. Pet Alliance’s mobile veterinary unit will be on site to administer free vaccinations.
“This year we have 127 vendors and food trucks, which is more than ever before,” said Pet Alliance Executive Director Stephen Vardy. “The costume contest is always a great success. Everyone who participates in the contest gives it their all.”
Birdy said participants typically range from 10,000 people to thousands of dogs and sometimes other pets.
“We occasionally have cats, and one year we even had a kangaroo,” he says.
For those who already have pets, the festival offers plenty of treats and accessories.
“We have a lot of dog and cat products, like collars, leashes, dog beds, litter boxes, and a lot of different things that people make themselves,” Birdy said. “We have dog treats, training services, boarding, grooming facilities and a veterinarian.”
The event will also feature adoptable pets from Central Florida shelters and shelters. Birdy said Paws in the Park is a welcome opportunity to bring together past foster children and see some familiar faces.
“Orlando has a strong animal community, made even stronger by the complete slowdown in dog and cat adoptions from shelters and shelters,” he said. “I get to meet the foster dogs I used to raise, and now they’re all grown up, and I get to meet the people who adopted them. It feels like a bit of a family reunion.”
The festival serves as the organization’s second largest fundraiser of the year, with a goal of raising $215,000 to support Pet Alliance’s overall operations. This includes veterinary care and medical staff, an animal shelter, and food and medicine to help care for 4,000 dogs and cats a year.
Pet Alliance also plans to celebrate the opening of a new 25,000 square foot shelter later this spring.
Birdy encouraged attendees to come prepared to the event, whether they are pet owners or not.
Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel
A furry costume contestant sits in a kissing booth at Paws in the Park, an annual festival and fundraiser for the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, held at Lake Eola Park in 2020. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
“Be prepared to pet a lot of dogs. Spectators or participants, whichever you choose, you’ll be fine,” he said. “You can be active, or you can just go for a walk in the park and enjoy all the sights, sounds, and happy dogs.”
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If you go
Paws in the Park will be held at 512 E. Washington St. in Orlando on February 7th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, but fundraising is encouraged before and during the event. For more information, visit petallianceorlando.org or pawsinthepark.org.
