Adoptable pets will be the guests of honor Saturday when Gulfport's Get Rescued animal adoption fundraiser takes over Beach Boulevard for a festive street celebration. Lynda Shehan, an year Gulfport resident who has been involved with rescues for 25 years, introduced the idea here seven years ago, and it has continued to grow. Expected this year are 69 nonprofit animal rescue groups, vendors, and thousands of visitors, many accompanied by their leashed furry friends, making the animal festival one of the largest pet events in the state.
There will be a pet fashion show, pet parade, training demos and education, canine massage and acupuncture, American Kennel Club canine good citizen testing and more. Indulge in food, music and games. Visitors are encouraged to bring donations of dog and cat food, cat litter and pet supplies that will be distributed to participating rescues the day of the event. All proceeds raised, after expenses, will also be divided among the rescue groups.
She has been involved for five of the seven years. Secondly, we don't even need entertainment for this event because the animals are the entertainment. She said that about 12 adoptions have resulted from being present at the festival, and that in two of DARE's dogs were chosen, as ambassador and mascot. The free event will be followed by Gulfport's Get Rescued Celebration, a party from 7 to 11 p. Catered hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and fresh flowers will add to the atmosphere.
The festival is sponsored by the city of Gulfport, the Gulfport Merchants Association, the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce and several other groups. For information on the daytime festival call Suzanne King at For the evening event call Mike McCue at The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only.
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