By Janet McAfee
Calling all animal lovers! Mark your calendars now for the 7th annual Super Pet Adoption Festival presented by Loving All Animals on the weekend of November 14th and 15th. This Wizard of Oz themed extravaganza is the most spectacular rescue pet adoption event in Southern California. It draws thousands of animal lovers seeking to adopt or just enjoy a fun outing with their family and friends. Many bring their own pup along to find him a companion. Animal welfare organizations and public shelters travel down the “Yellow Brick Road” to the Land of Oz that weekend hoping to create happy “forever” families for the homeless dogs, cats, and birds in their care.
This year, Loving All Animals is excited to move the event to their hometown in Palm Desert. The adoption fair will cover over 5 acres at the beautiful, centrally located Palm Desert Civic Center Park. Nestled behind the Palm Desert Civic Center buildings, the park contains beautiful lakes, a rose garden, playgrounds for children, as well as a modern Amphitheater featuring animal demonstrations. You will be greeted by Dorothy with Toto, the Tin Man, the Lion, the Scarecrow, Glinda the Good Witch of the North, and other assorted costumed characters.
Loving All Animals’ President, Lindi Biggi, hopes for the biggest turnout ever with over 300 adopted animals. She enthusiastically reports, “We are now in our seventh year, and it just keeps getting better. Coachella Valley folks are great animal lovers, and many of them turn out every year to be part of the festivities and to see these animals go to happy homes purring and wagging their tails. This event is a great opportunity to save more homeless animals, and move our Valley in the direction of becoming a No-Kill community.” We would all agree, “There is no place like a home,” and no home is complete without a special dog or cat.
The biggest stars of the weekend are the beautiful rescue animals, the dogs, the cats and the birds that arrive with hope in their hearts for finding loving homes. The Coachella Valley Animal Campus, our local Riverside County shelter, will bring over 60 animals each day and will feature lower adoption fees. Some rescue groups attending are breed specific such as Maltese Rescue California, Forget-Me-Not Pekingese Rescue, and So-Cal Boxer rescue. Several cat rescue groups, including ForEver Meow, will showcase some beautiful felines.
Country Club Animal Clinic will be there once again to provide complimentary vet checks on all adopted animals. Low cost vaccinations and micro-chipping will be available to folks attending with their own pets. Pick up a delicious lunch from one of the many food trucks and dine at the shaded pavilion area. Enjoy the dog performances on stage.
You might be interested in purchasing one of the Kennel Cards to be displayed on the dog kennels which will help defray costs for this event. For a $50 donation, one of these cards can honor your pet, or it can include your name, or the name of your business. For information about the kennel cards, contact (760) 834-7019.
Travel down the “Yellow Brick Road” on the weekend of November 14th and 15th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park. The park is located on the corner of Fred Waring Drive and San Pablo Avenue in Palm Desert, just behind the city government buildings. There is no charge for admission.
Watch soon for PSA’s from Hollywood star Dick Van Dyke promoting this event. Like the Facebook page “Loving All Animals Org”, check their website www.lovingallanimals.org or call Loving All Animals at (760) 834-7000 for further information. You may fall in love at the Wizard of Paws and take home a new best “furfriend”.
Jmcafee7@verizon.net
