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Pets to strut their stuff for SPCA
Paws on Parade offers fun, laughs and help for homeless animals.
By NICK JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Published October 19, 2007
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Rico, a 3-pound chihuahua dressed as a lobster, comes nose to nose with Whitey, a black Labrador retriever impersonating Frankenstein's monster, at last year's Paws on Parade Halloween costume contest, the day's most anticipated event.
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[Lara Cerri | Times (2006)]
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ST. PETERSBURG - Pets and owners will get a chance to strut their stuff around North Shore Park on Saturday at the 17th annual SPCA Tampa Bay Paws on Parade Pet Walk. The 1-mile stroll will be followed by other pet-friendly activities. Almost 100 vendors catering to pets and humans are expected. The fundraiser helps homeless and abandoned dogs, cats and other pets receive the care they need until they find suitable homes. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is the area's largest pet shelter and adoption agency and relies on private donations. "More people come every year and our goal goes up every year, because all funds go to care for more than 15,000 animals taken in annually," Marissa Weeks, the public relations manager, said. This year the SPCA hopes the event will draw 2,500 people and their pets and that it will raise $225,000. Participants are encouraged to register at www.petwalk.org and begin collecting donations. Don't have time to register? There will be opportunities to help out the day of the event, too, like the 5K Fetch Challenge, where a pooch-selected tennis ball will win a resort stay for a person and pet. Weeks said the walk usually draws mostly dogs, but cats and even a ferret or two have been known to make an appearance. Be sure to sign up in advance if you want to participate in the day's most anticipated event, the pet Halloween costume contest. Nick Johnson can be reached at nickjohnson@sptimes.com or 893-8361. If you go Paws on Parade Pet Walk The 17th annual event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at North Shore Park. See www.petwalk.org or call 586-3591, ext. 163, for information.
[Last modified October 19, 2007, 00:13:16]
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