By Gerri Miller

Staff Writer

There was lots of tail wagging, doggie kissing and canine cavorting at the 2021 Pet Palooza Saturday at Cooter’s Pond Park in Prattville. The weather was perfect and the crowd was large for the fifth year of this event benefitting the Prattville/Autauga Humane Society.

There were 15 vendors, a raffle of prizes ranging from pet-themed baskets to doggie daycare and costume contests. There were bins of costumes, shirts and pet supplies available for donations, bake sales of both human and doggie treats, concessions and children’s games.

Six dogs were adopted and more than 50 dogs were microchipped. Several volunteers from the Air Force’s Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base volunteered their time by walking and taking care of the dogs available for adoption.

“This was a great opportunity for us to reach out to the community by volunteering our time while also letting us do things together as a group,” said SOS volunteer Jeremy Studer of Clovis, N.M. “We are here from all over the world and we loved the event.”

There were lots of entries in the pet contests and the categories included best costume, owner/pet lookalike, best trick, best kisser, fan favorites, biggest dogs and smallest dogs.

June Potts, president of the Humane Shelter Board, said the money from the event will go to Buster’s Fund, which helps buy supplies for dogs that need to be spayed or neutered, need shots or need to be microchipped.

The Shelter is located at 1009 Reuben Road in Prattville. It is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Volunteers are always needed to help with adoptions, foster care, cleaning, grooming and socializing the shelter animals. In addition, positions are also available in fundraising, education, and special events.

To become a volunteer, complete and submit a Volunteer Application Form . For more information email [email protected] or call 334-358-2882.