Annual Adopt-a-Dog 'Puttin' on the Dog' Festival This Sunday in Greenwich

The 27th annual Adopt-A-Dog ‘Puttin’ on the Dog’ festival will be held this Sunday, Sept. 21 at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich.

The non-profit rescue/adoption organization operates, a dog and cat rescue sanctuary and adoption center serving Connecticut, New York and beyond, in Armonk, NY.

More than 7,000 people are expected to attend the popular day of fun, music, competitions, demonstrations and activities for dogs, their families and pet lovers.

Judges — including two-time Olympic ice skating gold medalist Dick Button and FIOS 1 Morning News Anchor CJ Papa — will be looking to award prizes in 12 categories, including: Who Saved Who (for owners and dogs who saved each other); Mirror Mirror (for owners and dogs who look alike); Puppy Love (for puppies under 12 months); Mixed with the Most (for any mixed breed dog); Pick of the Litter (for any purebred dog); Best Tail Wagger and Aged to Perfection (for dogs 10 years or older). The entertaining competitions end with the famous Puttin’ On The Dog Costume Contest parade, a fan favorite. The competitions start at 11 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m.

The American Humane Association will be in attendance with its new 50-foot emergency response vehicle that will be open for tours. Visitors can meet the specially trained Red Star responders and learn more about the critical services available on this vehicle that is stationed in the Northeast to provide help and support to animals in a crisis or disaster.

“We are so fortunate to have the American Humane Association’s wonderful new rescue unit with us at this year’s Puttin’ On The Dog Festival,” said Adopt-A-Dog president Allyson Halm. “The vehicle will aid animals who are at risk due to a weather event such as Hurricane Sandy or some other emergency, and it will give owners reassurance knowing their pets are being taken care of until they all can be united.”

Registration is open now online for all Show Class entries. Puttin’ On The Dog attendees also can register for contests on the day of the festival. For details and the registration form, go to www.adoptadog.org. The fee is $10 for one class and $5 for each additional category entered.

Ticket reservations and information about the festival that draws thousands of participants also are available online at www.adoptadog.org. A special discounted Family Package for $20 that admits two adults and any children under 12 for free may be purchased only in advance online. Individual adult tickets cost $15, senior citizen tickets are $5.00 and children aged 13-18 are admitted for $5.00. There also is a Very Important Friends ticket for $250 that grants the holder unlimited access to the VIF Pavilion sponsored by Fairway Markets. Puttin’ On The Dog Festival hours are from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Sponsors include Pet Pantry Warehouse, Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, Blue Buffalo, Serendipity Magazine and Reckson. H/2 Capital Partners is a new premiere sponsor of the event’s first Cat Adoption Pavilion.

For more information about the “Puttin’ On The Dog” festival, sponsorship or how you can help, visit www.adoptadog.org or call (914) 273-1674.

Contributed photo: An Adopt-a-Dog costume contestant.