Have you been contemplating adding a new furry friend to your family? Your new family member may await you at the free, family-oriented eighth annual Doggie Street Festival, held again this year at Liberty Station’s NTC Park 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. The park is located at 2455 Cushing Road, between Dewey and Roosevelt roads, with free parking located nearby.
Whether you’re looking for a purebred or charming mixed breed of puzzling origins – whether dog or cat – you may find your future best friend at one of the festival’s more than 25 participating rescues.
This year’s festival will be the largest ever, with more rescues, more pet-related vendors and renewed emphasis on pet-related activities and education for children and adults, explained founder and organizer Jude Artenstein, a filmmaker and “Pet Lounge” television series creator. Friendly, well-behaved leashed dogs are invited to accompany their humans.
Every year throngs of happy residents surround the pet enclosures, eager to meet that special pet – or even a pair – that’s their perfect match.
More than 25 local rescue organizations, including many breed-specific groups and public shelters, will bring an array of pooches plus a few courageous cats seeking their “forever” homes. New this year, rabbit and parrot rescues will join the region’s largest pet adoption event.
Festival attendees can browse about 100 vendor booths offering a diverse selection of pet-related supplies, food, services, training and veterinary and pet care information, all geared to improving the health and well-being of companion animals.
Artenstein created the festival to promote adoption and contribute to ending euthanasia of orphaned pets.
Every year the festival helps rescue groups find homes for more pets. In its early years about 100 dogs found forever homes through the festival. More recently that number has doubled to more than 200 annually, now including cats, bunnies and parrots. Because of the festival’s success, organizer Artenstein replicated the festival in Los Angeles, now in its fifth year on Sept. 16 and second year in Phoenix Jan. 28.
“My dream is to host Doggie Street Festival in 20 cities across the country. This event is extremely effective at increasing dog and cat adoptions. Together we can make a huge and meaningful difference in the lives of our deserving companion animals,” she said, adding that she is actively seeking festival sponsors to help expand pet adoptions.
For more information, visit www.doggiestreetfestival.org.