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Celebrating our Animal Companions
Durham Pet Fair showcases pet adoption groups
By Sally E. Bahner
It was a great day for people and their pets.
The Durham Pet Fair, held May 17, drew hundreds of pet lovers, who strolled around the grounds of Durham Veterinary Hospital on Parmelee Hill Road and visited the 90 animal rescue groups and shelters. Many were accompanied by their canine companions.
The event raised $8,000.
Sponsored by Help Willy’s Friends, a non-profit organization that promotes the benefits of shelter adoption, and Durham Veterinary Hospital, the fair also featured entertainment and a DJ, food (including fresh-made kettle corn), silent auction, face painting for kids, touch-a-truck, Connecticut State Police K-9 demonstration, pet agility course and more. Dogs available for adoption sported red bandanas.
"Everyone was walking around with their pets and enjoying themselves," said Mark Paturzo, the founder of Help Willy’s Friends.
Paturzo said several pets were adopted as a result of the fair, adding that to get 50 to 60 animals adopted at future events would be "huge."
In addition to supporting shelter adoption, Helping Willy’s Friends collects food and supplies for local animal shelters. The organization is named in honor of Paturzo’s dog Willy, a shelter pup.
He hopes that exhibitors and vendors will tell others and double the vendors for next year. He has been discussing with the town the possibility of using the Durham Fair Grounds next year.
"We put ourselves on the map," said Paturzo.
For more information, visit www.helpwillysfriends.org.
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