OUR MISSION
Pet Party in the Park is a non-profit event benefiting local “no kill” animal shelters. It began as an idea from our 10 year old daughter, Autumn. She realized that there were many festivals and events in our local neighborhoods benefiting several good causes, so she wanted to start a festival that would benefit animal shelters. Our neighborhoods are saturated with pet lovers and she wanted to pair that love with an opportunity to come together and have fun as a community to raise money for animal shelters and to provide onsite opportunity for homeless animals to find a home.
In May of 2017, the first Pet Party in the Park was held at Bessie Branham Park in the Kirkwood neighborhood of SE Atlanta. The event included several pet related activities, each encouraging donations geared toward raising money for local animal shelters. The event began with a pet parade led by a police K-9 and a welcome by our local City Councilwoman, followed by a pet blessing. The activities that stretched out over the course of the event included a DJ, cake walk for pets, petting zoo, dress up and kissing booth for pets, face painting, silent auction and a pet pageant. We had vendor booths to peruse related to pet products and also informational booths providing awareness to the Community such as a pet blood bank and promotion to start a dog park. The shelters brought several dogs available for adoption and the dogs had a chance to get outside and play in the park. It was a day for pets and their families to bring their own picnic basket and enjoy the park and events together. Approximately 200 people attended and we were able to raise just over $2500 and facilitate one adoption. In 2018 the event expanded to include a lure course, frisbee dog shows and a K-9 vice dog demonstration.
What is important to note is that this event provides opportunity for the neighborhood children to get involved in a charitable cause and essentially make a difference in their Community. The kids are solely in charge for the organization of the Pet Pageant portion of the event. They are an established event Committee and will hold meetings, plan the pageant and assign jobs. On the day of the event they will run the pageant according to their action plan. The kids have an amazing opportunity to learn how to organize and plan an event and see their plans take action to benefit a worthy cause. It is important for them to feel that they matter and know they can make a difference in their Community when they work hard and pull together on a project.
Each year we plan to grow the event and provide more activities and entertainment to fill the day and draw a greater crowd. This year we are adding a water cooler/picnic area and splash area for the dogs to cool off. We are hoping to also bring awareness with support animals, free pet vaccinations and agility dogs. LIFELINE will provide an activities tent for the children as well as “no bite” demonstrations and an ACO will be on site to provide information and allow tours of the animal control vehicle. We are seeking event sponsors, booth sponsors and donations to facilitate the growth. Individual donations are greatly appreciated and sponsorship opportunities are available as well. Also, we are looking for VOLUNTEERS!
Your sponsorships and donations provide an opportunity to benefit the community two fold. You will assist homeless animal organizations with funding to provide for their needs while the pets await adoption and instill activism as we pass the baton of philanthropy to the next generation. Our website has more information on the pet party as well the shelter organization that we are benefiting. There are links on the website which provide information on so many ways that Lifeline is active in our community. They provide support in more ways than you might imagine. This organization runs very fiscally lean with .91-.93 of every dollar generated going directly to the care of the animals. They are in need of our financial assistance as well as volunteer help. Please take a moment to look at the website, PetPartyinthePark.com, to see ways you can volunteer and give! Most of all, we ask that you mark your calendars for September 14th, 10:00-2:00, and come out to Bessie Branham Park to support and enjoy this event for you, our community, and the furry friends we love so much! Thank you for your consideration!
Rebecca Shivers
717-602-3388