By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
Canadian County dogs will be on parade this Sunday in Yukon.
Beloved canines from across the metro will get the “royal” treatment during a popular benefit for homeless animals.
Pets & People Humane Society will stage its 13th Annual “Pawsitively Pampered Dog Wash, Grooming & Vendor Event” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 10 outside YNB Parkway, 1550 Garth Brooks Blvd.
“It’s like a parade of dogs,” event co-chair Peggy Nichols said. “You get to see all types and sizes of dogs – we’ve had dogs from four pounds up to 150 pounds.
“If all you do is show up, it’s free entertainment.”
The purpose of Sunday’s event is to pamper these prizes pooches with washes, basic grooming and nail trims.
Volunteers from Pets & People are participating organizations will wash and dry the dogs while professional groomers from Pawsh, LLC of Edmond offer grooming services.
Pets & People’s Dog Wash, Grooming & Vendor Event helps socialize the canines.
“We love all the dogs and owners who come out each year,” said Nichols, a Pets & People board member. “It always feels like a ‘dog carnival’.
“We love to see some of our favorites return year after year for their pampering as their owners shop our 40-plus vendor booths.”
Some 183 dogs were washed during the 2022 event. Other services were 199 nail trims, 97 grooms and 17 glands.
About $8,000 was raised last year to benefit Pets & People, which operates a no-kill animal rescue and adoption center in eastern Canadian County.
The record number of dogs washed was 203, in 2021; after 187 were washed in 2020.
Dogs are kept safe by being washed in enclosed 12 foot-by-12-foot kennels with secured gates.
“With the cost of goods and services going up, we have stayed with the same prices for the last six years,” Nichols pointed out.
Prices for washes are $10 (under 60 pounds), $15 (over 60 pounds) and $20 (large breed with long and thick hair such as the Great Pyrenees and St. Bernard).
Basic grooming is $20 (de-shedding large dog), $25 (small fluffy breed) and $30-plus (large fluffy breed).
And it costs $10 each for other grooming services like nail trims, glands and nail polishes.
The non-profit Pets & People Humane Society has saved close to 58,000 dogs and cats since 1992. All dog rescues are above capacity as they work to save the animals from euthanasia.
“We have seen a great need this year because we’re getting more returns on adoptions,” Nichols explained. “If you ever consider being a foster family for a dog, please go to our website at http://www.petsandpeople.com and fill out the foster application.
“You can choose what size of animal you want to foster.”
VENDOR BOOTHS
While their four-legged friends are being spoiled this Sunday, dog owners will shop at vendor booths and food trucks.
“Along with our many returning vendors, we have quite a few new vendors offering a huge variety of items for adults, kids and pets,” event co-chair Stacey Sprague said.
“We also have five food trucks this year. So, people can shop and eat while their dogs are being papered.”
Vendors will offer a wide array of products, such as clothing, holiday gifts, dog accessories, jewelry, home and kitchen goods, handmade items, and make-up.
“The Pets & People event booth will have pup cups and Pets & People tattoos for the kiddos,” Sprague added. “Look for our booth near the dog wash area.
“And a special shout-out to DND Entertainment, who have been our local disc jockey for many years.”
Some 150-plus volunteers are helping plan and present the 2023 Yukon dog wash.
“We have a great group of volunteers this year to wash and dry the dogs and assist at the grooming stations,” Nichols said. “Many are returning volunteers who started signing up in April.”
Event organizers thanked YNB Bank for allowing Pets & People to have this prime site near Interstate 40 and Garth Brooks Boulevard – and Fairfield Inn & Suites for use of a large portion of its front parking lot.
Nichols also offered kudos to Pawtopia for donating dog shampoo for the special event.
For more information, visit the “Pawsitively Pampered” Facebook event page or http://www.petsandpeople.com.
