Must Love Dogs (And Cats, Too)

Attention animal lovers: Head to Bronxville on Saturday where the Bronxville Schools PTA will host The Bronxville Kennel Club 2010 Dog Show and Pet Adoption.

The events are a collaborative effort between the PTA, Bronxville-based Shelter Pet Alliance and Larchmont-based Pet Rescue and are sponsored by a variety of local organizations including Provisions for Pets, Divine K-9 Trainers and Amore Groomers, among others.

Festivities kick off at 11 am at the Elementary School (use Midland Ave. entrance) and include a variety of different activities. 

One is the Dog Show, a juried event featuring lots of local pups. Currently, there are about 45-50 dogs in the show. Each dog will be entered into a maximum of three categories, which include best trick, best name, most obedient, best costume, best celebrity lookalike and more. There are prizes in all categories and the dog with the highest score will be crowned Best in Show. 

This is the second time a Dog Show has been held. Two years ago was the first, which featured about 60 dogs in the show.

If interested in having your dog participate, you can squeeze in under the wire today, which is the last day for registration. (All dogs must be registered prior to the event in order to participate.)

Families can also adopt a dog, cat, puppy, or kitten from local shelters and animal rescue groups starting at 10:30.

"There are millions of dogs in shelters across the United States that need good homes," said Allison Roesser, of Shelter Pet Alliance, and coordinator of the day's events. "Many dogs in pet shops come from puppy mills.  Getting a dog from your local shelter is a great choice and alternative to a pet store animal."

In order to take home a pet the day of the event, applications must be filled out and approved beforehand. To expedite application materials, please note on the top of the applications that you will be attending the dog show, said Roesser.  

Families are welcome to apply for specific dogs and cats on Pet Rescue's website, she said. According to Roesser, adoption costs associated with dogs are $200-$350, while for cats its $75-$100.  

There will also be information available for families interested in becoming a foster home for an animal on a temporary basis. 

In addition to the dog show and pet adoption, pet lovers can enjoy other events, including dog grooming and shampoo by Amore Groomers, obedience training and tricks by Divine K9 Trainers. There will also be a raffle tickets on sale for $5, for a chance to win a basket full of all sorts of dog supplies such as dog food, Frontline Products, blankets, toys and more.

Proceeds from the Dog Show, T-shirt sale, and raffle go to the Bronxville PTA. Visit their website for application materials and additional information.