TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Pets, Take Your Owners To The Park On Saturday

ADVERTISEMENT

By GEOFF FOX, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 28, 2007

SAN ANTONIO - Diana Mattox didn't expect people from Tampa and St. Petersburg to attend the first San Antonio Paws in the Park event three years ago.

Based on the number of people who have called about this year's event, Mattox, owner of San Antonio Animal Hospital, said she will be surprised if the city's park on Main Street isn't full of at least 1,000 people and their pets Saturday. She said hundreds of people attended last year's event.

'We were kind of surprised,' Mattox said of past crowds. 'But some of our vendors are from that far out, and they put the word out. It's a grass-roots movement. This year, we've had a lot more inquiries than in the past.'

The event is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free, although there are fees of $2 to $5 to enter various contests or to participate in some activities. Proceeds will benefit Spay Pasco, a nonprofit organization aimed at neutering pets of people who can't afford the procedures or don't have transportation.

Vendors will include a pet waste cleanup service, a mobile pet groomer, a cremation service for pets, an artist who does pet portraits and companies that sell supplies.

The event also will feature agility demonstrations, a parade of adoptable pets, educational materials for pet owners and a look-alike contest in which many pet owners dress up like their pets.

'We'll also have soccer collies - border collies that will try to make goals with the ball and try to prevent you from making one,' Mattox said. 'Kids like to interact with them.

'The event is one way of giving back to the community that has supported us the last 10 years and celebrating the bond we share with pets.'

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 948-4217 or gfox@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT