A parade of leashed canines and their devoted owners are preparing to come to the City Green, visiting with vendors, enjoying refreshments, and participating in pet-friendly activities as part of the 17th annual Pet Carnival, sponsored by the North Royalton Animal Hospital and Paws At Play Resort and Daycare.
This extremely popular yearly event, which is set for Sunday, July 30, from 1 to 4 p.m., embraces and celebrates everything pet related. While the main characters are hundreds of canines walking the City Green alongside their owners, other household pets have been known to show up, like turtles, rabbits, horses, cats, reptiles and birds. It’s a special day, as many pets come dressed for the occasion donning bandanas, witty shirts, costumes and other fun apparel. For everyone’s safety, attendees are reminded that visiting pets must be leashed or contained in a carrier or other mechanism, and be personally cleaned up after – no one wants to step in doo-doo!
Started by North Royalton Animal Hospital Director Adam Hechko and his team, the Pet Carnival will feature a dog agility course, pet sketches and photos, a temporary airbrush tattoo artist, a DJ, balloon magician, the 4-H Petting Zoo, a children’s bounce house, crafts, and special visits from the Cleveland Animal Protective League Adoption Mobile and the North Royalton Police Department offering meet-and-greets with Bear, the department’s new K-9 officer.
Attendees will also have their share of vendor tables with representatives selling everything from pet collars to clothing to food bowls to backseat covers to animal-themed gifts and artwork. Pediatric Dentist Jen Hechko, wife of Adam Hechko, will also be on-site with her team from Brecksville Kids Dentistry along with the office therapy dog.
Scores of raffle baskets donated by Pet Carnival vendors and clients of North Royalton Animal Hospital and Paws at Play Resort and Daycare will be set up beneath a large tent on the City Green. All ticket proceeds go towards three charities. Molly’s Mission, dedicated to subsidizing medical treatments and pet owners’ bills; W.A.G.S. 4 Kids provides mobility service and autism service animals to children with special needs; and Remi’s Pet Recovery, a non-profit organization that helps reunite lost dogs with their owners.
Nothing can beat the interaction people have with their pets, and this special bond is so very visible at the annual Pet Carnival. Some attendees come simply to enjoy an afternoon out with their animals, others walk the City Green, giving a chance for their dogs to meet others. Other visitors come to see a specific vendor with a question or ask advice; while others just want to participate in the fun activities.
The North Royalton Animal Hospital Pet Carnival gets bigger and better each year. They have vendors who have been there year after year and new and exciting vendor options. This year, Chomps, the Cleveland Browns Backers mascot, will join the festivities. There are pet-friendly events, kid-friendly events, food trucks, pet adoptions through the APL, photo booth opportunities, raffle baskets, and so much more. This year, they will be including a 50/50 raffle. This is one of the many community events held by North Royalton Animal Hospital. Dr Hechko and his team also participate in the October Pet Blessing at Saint Albert the Great Church. They open the clinic for a walk-through Holiday open house in December. The Easter Bunny comes for a pet bone hunt and photos in the spring. All these events take place to help raise funds for pets in need.