OAKHURST – Once again, it’s time to put your paws together for the upcoming Animal Faire at Oakhurst Community Park on Sunday, Oct. 7, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The exciting four-legged action is brought to you and your pooch, and other animals, by the Eastern Madera County (EMC) SPCA for the 20th year, and also by Bella, the handsome 2018 canine mascot for the Faire (see flyer). Madera County District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler is the Master of Ceremonies. Award Medals will be presented by Graydon Kennels in memory of Michael Steen.
A one-mile dog walk lovingly referred to as Tails on the Trail starts with sign-ups at 10:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 11 a.m. Sponsorship forms for friends to support walkers are available on the EMC SPCA website.
It’s going to be a perfect day for an outing of this sort, agree the dog, the cat, the lizard, the snake, the bunny and the chicken.
Keep your ears open for the sounds of a raffle with great prizes. Also on hand will be food, booths, micro-chipping and a Blessing of the Animals. All proceeds benefit the EMC SPCA Animal Care and Adoption Center, opening on Highway 49 in 2019.
Hundreds of people and pets come out each year to the Oakhurst Community Park for the Animal Faire and Tails on Trails, thousands of dollars raised for the cause. This time around will again feature all manner of pet-related booths, performances, contests, and more.
- Noon: Fastest Fetch (Fresno Pet ER)
- 12:20 p.m.: Best Wag (Bob and Pat Richey)
- 12:40 p.m.: Best Kiss (MySham for the Love of Animals)
- 1 p.m.: Blessing of the Animals by Father Gordon Kamal
- 1:15 p.m.: All American Dog Show (by Linda Chappell in memory of Jerry Chappel)
- 1:45 p.m.: Best Costume (by Western Sierra Nursery)
- 2:10 p.m.: Best Trick (by Marilyn Rigg – State Farm)
- 2:30 p.m.: Raffle Drawing!
The EMCSPCA was organized in 1990 with the goal of building a much needed shelter. With Madera County Animal Control being the only facility in the area and what local experts consider a very high euthanasia rate, the founders wanted something better for the community. Organizers soon decided that the key was educating themselves and building relationships with well-run shelters.
Over the years, a group of dedicated volunteers refined their goals, established programs to prevent more pet over-population, and began fundraising for the shelter.
The EMC SPCA Animal Care and Adoption Center will be about 8000 square feet withstate of the art design and finishes, all built with local donations and grants. There is no financial support from Madera County or any national organization.
Questions? Contact Sharon Fitzgerald at (559) 642-6611 or visit the EMC SPCA website and Facebook page.