Amiallana Justus
Animal lovers across Florida came out to show their support for dogs and cats at Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the largest pet festival in the country.
Paws in the Park is free and open to the public, and it gives the community a chance to start fundraising in support of the Pet Alliance.
Pet Alliance is Central Florida’s oldest and largest animal welfare agency. The support has helped care for over 4,000 dogs and cats each year, providing medical care, shelters, and comfort until these animals find their forever home.
The fundraising prizes are for individuals who are involved in the Paws in the Park event. If you raise $20, the gift is a Paws in the Park Frisbee; $100 it’s a Wags and Whisker’s Blind Box Bag Charms; $250 and earn a Pet Alliance Branded Camping Chair.
The purpose of Paws in the Park is to help find dogs and cats who need a forever home. The organization’s goal is to continue raising money until every pet ends up with a loving family.
Helping Animals Find Their Forever
Dogs and cats have been scientifically proven to increase the moods of their owners such as reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and improving physical activity.
Paws in the Park will give those who are looking for a new fur buddy a chance to mingle with different cats and dogs and see which personality stands out to them.
“This is our 33rd annual event and it’s a great way to go ahead and get our supporters out here to kind of showcase our mission of sheltering and rehoming pets,” said Deirdre Parks, development manager for Pet Alliance. “Overall there’s been a positive impact on the community to learn more about dogs as well as get more dogs in homes.”
Known as a “man’s best friend,” dogs have developed a bond with humans based on mutual benefit where dogs offer companionship and humans offer shelter.
“Dogs just bring so much joy to our lives,” said Parks. “There is an unconditional love that dogs always bring and are there to pick you up when you’re feeling down. The bond between humans and pets is just something that can never be described and something I’m so grateful for.”
Meghan Wolfgram, founder and CEO SWIFTPAWS which partners with Paws in the Park, said the activity that is brought for the pets during this event is to stimulate the dogs’ brain and physical development through chasing an electric squirrel.
“We are an American manufacturer of enrichment products which is actually the activity that the dogs are doing here at the park today,” said Wolfgram. “We partner with charities like Pet Alliance who put on Paws in the Park, to provide them with a really fun activity for the dogs to do here. Owners can make a donation for dogs to chase after a fake squirrel and let their dogs have a really fun and enriching experience.”
Finding the dog or cat that fits an owner’s personality is the key to having a long lasting and stable relationship with different types of dogs.
“We have amazing dogs that just don’t show well in a shelter setting such as hiding behind the bars, barking, or jumping up on people,” said Wolfgram. “Sometimes it just takes getting them out of that shelter environment and awareness about knowing Pet Alliance and rescues is here to help pets find their forever homes.”
Paws in the Park continues to benefit fur babies and their owners by giving dogs and cats a chance to find their forever homes while mingling and enjoying their time at this event.
Email development@petallianceorlando.org or visit pawsinthepark.org for resources about adopting and what the next step in your animal journey will be.
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