The Arizona Animal Fair happens this Saturday (supposed to be sunny and warm) at Reid Park. This is a family-friendly and pet-friendly event and it’s free. Be sure to visit all the different rescues and perhaps put some spare change or a few bucks in their donation jars. Our rescues and shelters constantly struggle financially. The goal of the Super Adoption area is to find 100 forever homes in one day. You might not leave with a pet but you can fill out the paperwork or at the very least — consider the options. Here are some tips for enjoying the Fair.

from the press release

Tucson is home to one of the largest festivals celebrating animals in the Southwest – the annual Arizona Animal Fair! The event takes place Saturday, March 2 from 10 am to 4 pm in Reid Park at the NW corner of 22nd Street and Country Club (near the off-leash dog park).

It is free for people and their pets and any proceeds from fair events are returned to the animal rescue community.  

Pets are welcome as long as they are on a 6-foot or shorter leash, are well behaved, and do well in crowds, with other animals, and loud noises.

More than 30 animal rescue groups will be on hand bringing the widest array of animals available for adoption in any one place.  This includes dogs and puppies, cats and kittens, ferrets, rabbits, and reptiles. Other rescues, sanctuaries, trained therapy animals for humans, and businesses with pet products will be there as well. Also on hand for fun, education and petting will be llamas, miniature horses, and goats.

Entertainment is scheduled throughout the day with demonstrations by Police K-9 dogs, flyball dog racing, Tucson Musical Canine Freestyle (otherwise known as doggie dancing) and dog trick demonstrations.

In addition, musicians and DJ’s will provide music in the pet-friendly beer garden from 11 am to 4 pm and food vendors will be present throughout the day.

Low-cost vaccinations and micro-chipping for pets will be available by various veterinary organizations and the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. Fairgoers are also encouraged to learn about the many low- or no-cost spay and neuter options available in Pima County.

The Arizona Animal Fair is hosted by Tucson-based nonprofit Saving Animals from Euthanasia (SAFE). The purpose of the event is to promote the welfare of animals by educating the community about sterilization to prevent pet overpopulation; promote micro-chipping; adopting lost, abandoned or unwanted shelter or rescue group pets; and the humane treatment of animals.

For more information about the annual Arizona Animal Fair please visit the website .   Volunteers are still needed for a variety of different opportunities. Get out there and have some fun.

Animal dumping is a crime. This pup is fortunate that he was found in time to be saved.

from the press release

Puppy dumped in park trash can

When Oscar’s owner put him in a plastic bag, did the trusting pup think it was a game? What happened next was anything but fun.

During one of the coldest weeks this winter, Oscar, an 8-week-old pit bull-mix, was tossed out like a piece of trash. Left in a garbage can at Reid Park, this sweet puppy lucked out when he was discovered by a local vending company worker who decided to take a late lunch at the park. Saving this lucky pup’s life, the man delivered to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.

It was mid-January, when temperatures were ice cold and Oscar’s chances of survival were slim to none. The pup also has a deformed back foot; he is missing bones in his foot which causes his foot to appear much different than normal. The missing bones are most likely the result of trauma.

Although Oscar may have had a rough start at life, no trash can or damaged foot can stop this pup from living life. Oscar’s current hobbies include sleeping, tug-of-war and eating! He is rambunctious and curious to say the least.

And thankfully for Oscar, veterinarians at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona say that he will make a full recovery and lead a normal life.

And while Oscar may have had a happy ending, often times other puppies and adult dogs don’t stand a chance. Oscar’s compelling yet depressing story is quite common. There are thousands of unwanted animals left to survive on their own every year in our community with stories that do not end as happily.

Animal dumping is cruelty and it is a crime. Please take the time to stay cognizant and anonymously report any animal cruelty you see by calling the Animal Cruelty Task Force of Southern Arizona at 520-547-0260 or call 88-CRIME.

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On another note, Atomic Charm greyhound died at Tucson Greyhound Park in mid December 2012. Wonder what happened to her body? Was she thrown in the freezer?  Arizona Department of Racing who allegedly “regulates” dog racing will not provide records of  why she was found in her cage dead. Perhaps no such records even exist? Just another reason why the cruel “sport” of greyhound racing must end. There’s no transparency. Is that considered accountability on the state level or the county/local level?

10th Annual Arizona Animal Fair in Tucson – March 5, 2011

Tucson is home to one of the largest day-long festivals celebrating animals in the Southwest: the Arizona Animal Fair.

The Fair happens Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Reid Park (22nd St. at Country Club Blvd., near the off-leash dog park). The event is free and open to the public. Well-behaved people and pets are welcome. Pets must be on a 6-foot or shorter leash at all times.

More than 30 rescue groups will set up in the Super Adoption area. Meet dogs, cats, and ferrets as well as llamas, horses, miniature horses, burros, and goats.

Scheduled entertainment includes “Muttalica’s Rocking Rescue Dog Sport and Comedy Show,” demonstrations by Police K-9s, Sweetwater Stockdogs sheep herding, Dust Devil Flyball Dog Racing, Tucson Musical Canine Freestyle Club, plus educational demos involving birds of prey, professional dog training, and pet safety for children.

Live music, described as “Backwoods-Americana Blues,” can be enjoyed in the pet-friendly beer garden from noon to 4 p.m.

Vaccinations for dogs will be available during the event at the Animal Birth Control of Tucson tent for only $9 each, licensing provided on-site by Pima Animal Care Center and low-cost micro-chipping will be available at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona booth.

This is your opportunity to learn about the many low-cost or no-cost spay and neuter options available in Pima County.

Last year it was cold and rainy. This year let’s all chant for warm and pleasant. Don’t forget to stop by the Arizona Greyhound Rescue booth where you and your pet can create Puppy Pawcasso art that you will treasure forever.

The Arizona Animal Fair is hosted by the Tucson-based nonprofit animal rescue group Saving Animals from Euthanasia (SAFE). The purpose of the event is to promote the welfare of animals by educating the community about the humane treatment of animals, the importance of sterilization and micro-chipping, and the re-homing of the lost and abandoned.

And of course, if you want to get involved and volunteer, check out the volunteer application.

I will be volunteering in the AWASA (Animal Welfare Alliance of Southern Arizona) booth in early part of the event. Please come by and say hello.

(Photo is courtesy of Cynthia David. Mimzy lives with Harmony greyhound but Mimzy is the boss.)

Please send photos of your dogs, cats, horses, and other pets to tucson.tails@yahoo.com. Include your name, photo credit (if different), pet’s name, and one sentence about them.