I Love My Pet Day coming to Toccoa

The Toccoa Main Street Program and the Stephens County Humane Shelter will be hosting a new event on July 23, 2011 called, "I Love My Pet Day." The event will start with a pet parade beginning at 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and finish with a movie at 9:00 p.m. The events will be located in downtown Toccoa on Doyle Street from Sage St to Alexander St for the Pet Parade and Sage St for the movie.

Registration for the parade will be on Sage St beginning at 9:00 a.m. Each entry must register at the registration booth. The parade will move down Doyle St to Alexander St and then back up the other side of Doyle St to Sage St. Judging will take place at the intersection of Doyle St and Alexander St. The different categories that will be judged are Best Costume, Most Unusual Pet, Owner-Pet Look alike, and Most Obedient/Best Tricks. There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category. You may participate in the parade and not participate in the judging. There is no charge or entry fee.

For everyone’s enjoyment the following rules will be followed:

• All animals must be leashed (on a 5 ft – 6 ft retractable leash), licensed and have complete, up-to-date vaccinations and rabies shots.


• Pets must be kept under control at all times. Unruly participants will be asked to leave.
  Animals not trained to walk on a leash must be properly confined to a carrier.
  Water will be served in a community-bowl style. If you require a separate drinking container for your pet, please bring one.


• Participants are expected to practice responsible pet ownership – please come prepared to clean up after your companion animal. Baggies and trash receptacles will be provided.


• No bicycles, skateboards, or skates are allowed. The walk route is wheelchair & stroller accessible.


• The event sponsors retain the right to deny participation to any animal due to health or behavior reasons.
  

The movie "Rango" will begin at 9:00 p.m. on Sage St. This delightful story is about a sheltered chameleon living as an ordinary family pet, while facing a major identity crisis. After all, how high can you aim when your whole purpose in life is to blend in? When Rango accidentally winds up in the gritty, gun-slinging town of Dirt - a lawless outpost populated by the desert's most wily and whimsical creatures - the less-than-courageous lizard suddenly finds he stands out. Welcomed as the last hope the town has been waiting for, new Sheriff Rango is forced to play his new role to the hilt.

Everyone is welcome to bring their chairs or blankets and enjoy this movie with their families and friends. There is no fee for the movie.

"We are looking forward to this new event," said Sharon Crosby, special events coordinator for the City of Toccoa. "Everyone loves their pets and enjoys showing them off. It will also be a good time to get some information about what our community offers as services for our animals."