Canines, felines and assorted other furred and feathered Venango County residents are invited to bring their humans to downtown Franklin on Saturday for this year’s PetFest.
The annual pet-centered festival hosted by Precious Paws Animal Rescue will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Bandstand Park, and it will feature new additions as well as returning favorite events from previous years.
On the wild side of things and new this year, Wild World of Animals will hold an educational program at 11 a.m. with 12 to 14 wild animals.
“We’ve specially requested the sloth for the event and hope they can bring her,” said Precious Paws president Theresa Weldon.
PetFest has also added a pet agility course where dogs can try their paws at weave poles and agility jumps.
For more artistic animals, a new pet art station will be set up as well, where Weldon said “your dogs and cats can make ornaments for your Christmas tree.”
Local teacher Megan Hiles will also return to head up an art station for humans with arts and crafts at the kids art tent.
Meanwhile, over at TrAils to Ales 2 on 12th Street, a new pet photo booth and photo board display will be set up for pet photography this year. Weldon said PetFest has partnered with TrAils to Ales as this year’s major sponsor.
Several prizes will be given for the fashion show, and registration begins at 1:30 p.m.
Weldon added that the festival will have several food trucks and a record number of vendors this year. Mix It Up Nutrition will serve pup ice cream for the dogs, she said.
“We’ve also brought back our Pet Pawsport — where you go visit several locations and get your Pawsport stamped to enter in to win a grand prize,” she added.
Paws 4 A Cause will be among those with booths set up in the park and will be bringing three registered therapy dogs, said June Chekanowsky, one of the Paws 4 A Cause handlers.
Chekanowsky will be there in the afternoon with her canine teammate Ivy.
As in past years, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. a low-cost dog vaccine clinic sponsored by Precious Paws will run in the park with Dr. Rainy Waitz. Microchipping, nail trims, anal gland expressions and ear cleanings will also be offered.
All PetFest proceeds will go to support animals in the community, Weldon said. Several of those animals will be at the pet adoption event at the festival.
