|
|
|
Pet Awareness Day
By Tamara Sevigny
The crowd gathered around Rosie, the dancing goat. It looked like this girl would do anything for a treat. From the moment she got off the trailer at the Beardzley Zoo she wanted to run around, play and eat anything in sight. She was especially happy to dance in circles for us all in order to get a treat.
Pet Awareness Day was quite a hit. Young and old came out on the gorgeous April day to learn about pet care through crafts, activities and demonstrations. Many rescue groups offered information, gifts and even pets for adoption.
Pets are members of the family. They require love, respect and the best of care. Billions of pets are given up each year, many times through no fault of their own. This results in 6-8 million being euthanized every year. Rescue groups and humane societies help by providing adoption counseling to match people with the right pet. These are just some of the messages that the Beardsley Zoo thought was important to convey as they offered discussions on responsible pet ownership, why exotic animals do not make good pets and how to help the dog and cat population by supporting rescue groups and by spaying and neutering pets.
The American Red Cross demonstrated their Pet First Aid program. New Leash on Life Pet Rescue from Stratford and the Bridgeport Cat Project had unique fundraiser gifts for pets and people, information and pets for adoption. Adopt a Greyhound, Friends of the Bridgeport Animal Shelter and North Shore Animal League from Long Island were also there.
Locket’s Meadow Farm Equine Rehabilitation Center of Bethany brought a horse, a miniature horse and a goat, which their young volunteers controlled and many visitors were intrigued by their silly tricks. Rosie the goat and Vanna White, a mini horse, were trained to dance and jump through hoops!
The variety of pets, information and sunshine brought everyone out. Many left with knowledge of the importance of rescue, others with treats and toys and even some with new pets.
For future events at the Bearsley Zoo visit their web site at www.beardsleyzoo.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
