WEST CHESTER TWP. — Everyone should have a dog, after all they are “man’s best friend,” said Melissa Gregory.
The Liberty Twp. resident, her family and their three dogs on Saturday, June 13, were on hand at the PAWS DogFest.
“It’s a good chance to look at the different breeds,” Gregory said. “And to see what the booths have to offer.”
Another big reason they visit DogFest, she said, is to socialize their dogs, a Chihuahua, a puggle (a cross between a pug and a beagle) and a boxer.
Organizers are hoping to draw more than 15,000 visitors and their canine friends to the event, which continues from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, June 14, at the Voice of America Park.
More than 100 booths are scheduled and will offer entertainment, demonstrations, contests and food for dogs and their owners.
Established in 1999, the event is hosted by the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, a no-kill, nonprofit animal shelter in Middletown, which houses dogs and cats until they are adopted.
DogFest is especially important this year, coordinator Mandy Johnson said, because of the economic situation.
“A lot of dogs are being abandoned and this event gets the word out” about the existence of animal shelters and rescues in the greater Cincinnati area that will take in animals until homes can be found for them.
“When a dog is adopted out, another one comes in, so technically when you adopt one you are saving two lives,” Johnson said.
PAWS also has information about what comes with adopting a pet.
Some of those responsibilities, said eight-year-old Danielle Gregory include “taking it outside, giving it exercise and feeding it food and water.”
For information about PAWS, visit www.pawsadoptioncenter.org or call (513) 422-7297.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2158 or lebbing@coxohio.com.
