By Natalie Lester, PetSafe Brand Marketing Specialist
At PetSafe, we know we owe it to our community to give back, especially to the animals. And, in Knoxville, we like to have a blast while doing it. Young-Williams Animal Shelter is one of our favorite local causes and for the past five years they have used Mardi Gras to create one of their largest fundraisers.
Last weekend, pet owners and their dogs headed downtown for the 5th annual Mardi Growl Pet Parade. Boy, was it one for the dogs! You could find just about any furry friend you can imagine from 225 lbs. of a Saint Bernard to a three lbs. of a yorkie. We marched from our PetSafe downtown dog park to Market Square, where all the restaurants’ patios are dog friendly. Several rescue groups and pet professionals were on site for the festival.
Our own photographer Jennie Huettel was on hand to snap some action shots, and she was also offering studio sessions in her new digs on Market Square. Check it out:
A bird's eye view of the Mardi Growl festival from Jennie's new studio
And, here are a few other of our favorites from the pet parade and festival.
Pets and their owners paraded from the PetSafe downtown dog park to Market Square.
This dog was really in the Mardi Growl spirit!
What pretty greyhounds!
One of our favorite office dogs, Denver, did so well during the parade!
The event raised $$$$ for Young-Williams, which will help cover health and food costs for the animals Young-Williams takes in.
What does your community do for your local shelter?
ABOUT NATALIE
As the PetSafe Brand Marketing Specialist, Natalie manages The Paw Print blog and generates other brand related content including public relations and promotions. Before PetSafe, Natalie worked in the local media covering politics, education, and religion. She is a substitute pet owner to a German shorthaired pointer named Bedford in Abingdon, VA, Frenchy the schnoodle in Lenoir City, TN, and all the office dogs at PetSafe’s headquarters in Knoxville. As a pet lover, she is currently searching for the perfect puppy to join her home.
