Over 35 rescue groups including Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, Best Friends, Hope for Animals and many others set up booths to help find homes for more than 300 dogs and cats up for adoption. 

It was a designated pet event and Sheila Stroup of the Times-Picaune described it -  ”A party where pets bring their people". 

And so it was!  A sea of dogs, big and small, German Shepherds, rottweilers, pugs, and mutts all cruising along, picking up treats while their owners enjoyed visiting booths touting all things dog lovers may want. 

MuttShack volunteers reveled in the day of sun and fun to talk to youngsters about humane treatment of animals, caring for their pets, and handed out “Tail Wags” color and activity books. 

“This was the ideal opportunity to get information to the next generation” said Amanda St. John. “Education is a huge part of what is needed to solve the problems we are having of animal overpopulation at the shelters.”

Over three hundred "Tail Wag" books were given out free to young kids.  The Maddie's^® Tail Wag is a collection of activities and coloring pages for animal lovers with fun and educational pages intended to help children develop skills. The leading character, Maddie, a Miniature Schnauzer, and her cartoon friends help teach responsibility, empathy and the benefits of animal companionship.

Mary Kelly, ex-Assistant Director of the Tompkins County, the first no kill community was present to talk about how Louisiana shelters can become No Kill.
Hundreds of signatures were collected from Jefferson Parish residents who believe that healthy adoptable animals should not be killed in shelters.

WWL-TV news anchor Angela Hill was the celebrity emcee.  The "Tailgate" theme brought out the Saintsations, as well as the Saints mascot Gumbo, the Hornets mascot Hugo, and the Zephyrs mascot Boudreaux.

A spirited Pet Team Spirit second line parade walked the walk and reminded everyone that this is after all New Orleans!

Pet Fest 2009 recognized Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain and his department as well as LSART (Louisiana State Animal Response Team), the group MuttShack Disaster Response worked with for more than three years.

By the end of the day, well over 100 dogs and cats had found new homes, and according to Lynn Morvant, co-chair of the event it was deemed a huge success.

The huge festival was hosted by the Friends of the Jefferson Shelter, the Jefferson Shelters, and Jefferson Parish.

To assist in helping children's animal and pet education programs please donate to MuttShack Animal Rescue.

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