Joliet City Center Partnership , Paws Crossed Rescue Resource, Safe Pets for Joliet, and Hawk Subaru will be hosting the second annual Paws on 66 Pet Rescue Day.
Features include up to 28 rescue groups (human and canine representatives), vendors with pet supplies and pet treats, vendors selling food for humans, and several advocacy groups with information on pet rescues and puppy mills.
Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow will emcee the event, the rescue dogs of Team Zoom will performs stunts and tricks and even Tommy Hawk from the Blackhawks promises to stop out.
"We'll also have a pet blessing like we did last year," Peggy Grandahl of Joliet, founder of Paws Crossed Rescue Resource, said. "It was very meaningful."
(Above, Abby and Hush are seen enjoying the 2017 Paws on 66 Pet Rescue Day. Hush is 14 years old, both blind and deaf).
The event is intended to educate the public on animal welfare and, hopefully, encourage some adoptions, too.Grandahl said many people don't realize the many different types of animals available for adoption.
"It's not just dogs and cats but rabbits, too," Grandahl said. "We like to people know they can get a wonderful animal of any age: puppies and dogs, seniors, special needs dogs, purebred dogs. Just because a dog is from a rescue or shelter doesn't meant he won't make wonderful pet. And it always just seems that rescue dogs and cats are also so grateful when someone adopts them from a rescue or shelter.
"There a saying that if you're helping save two lives by taking an animal, When you take an animal out of rescue, you make room for another one."
(Cindy Griffin Schrey is pictured above).
Attendees may bring their own pets to the event, provided they are confined to leashes or cages.
"Pets need to be under control," Grandahl said. "That's the law in Joliet."
Any pet is welcome to attend, "although last year it was primarily dogs," Grandahl said.
"We didn't see too many people bring their cats out. Nobody is probably going to bring a hamster," Grandahl said. "Although it would be totally cool if they did."
Because she's busy running the event, Grandahl said she won't be bringing Badger, her 13-year-old "black, furry Border collie," pictured above. Nor does Grandahl think Badger will mind being left behind.
"He's going to be happy staying at home in the air conditioning watching television," Grandahl said.
The 2017 inaugural event attracted about 1,000 people, Grandahl said.
"Everyone was friendly. People came out with their dogs and it was wonderful," Grandahl said. "The cool thing was that we had about 40 adoptions, either at the event or as a result of the event."
Even non-pet owners should come out.
"It might make you change your mind," Grandahl said.
ETC: Pet rescues, animal welfare, vendors, entertainment. Free to attend. Attended personal pets welcome.