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Pets on Parade for PAWS of Northeast Louisiana

KEDM Public Radio

Published January 25, 2018 at 5:26 PM EST

The Pet Parade rides through the Antique Alley in downtown West Monroe.

Mardi Gras is coming up, and PAWS of Northeast Louisiana is hosting the 12th Annual Krewe of PAWS Pet Parade Saturday, January 3 at 1:30 p.m.

This year, PAWS is throwing a totally tubular "pawty" with the theme, "PAWS Revisits the 80's." There will be an 80's pet costume and float contest leading up to the parade, in which pets can show off their wild side in some radical threads.

Pets love dressing up and riding in the Krewe of PAWS Pet Parade.

The parade site in Antique Alley will open at 11. If you need to register your pet for the parade or one of the contests, registration will be open until 11:45. There will be carnival games for the kids, contests, music, and food vendors during this time. The pet costume and the float contests will kick off at 12. Parade participants will start lining up at 1, and the parade will kick off at 1:30.

All animals are allowed to participate, as long as they follow some basic rules:

Animals must be current on vaccinations
No aggressive animals or females that are in season
We welcome all pets, however, we do not allow horses, ponies or livestock to be entered into the parade as they may scare the dogs.
Animals must be on a NON-retractable leash (or in a carrier) and in control by their owner at ALL times. Retractable leashes are NOT allowed.
Pet owners MUST pooper scoop after their dogs.
NO motorized floats allowed. Floats are welcome and encouraged. Floats can be created using wagons, carts, strollers, and anything with wheels that does not have a motor. No bicycles or rollerblades as these can scare the animals.
NO candy, small trinkets or dog treats are allowed to be thrown as they can be a safety/choking hazard to pets. Please ONLY throw beads, cups or larger non-edible items! From past parade participants, we have heard that you will want to bring a minimum of 4 dozen beads or else you will run out before the end of the parade.

You can be as creative as you want with your float, as long as it meets the guidelines listed.

PAWS of NELA is a non-profit organization which helps animals in the Northeast Louisiana region. "Unfortunately, we have a pet overpopulation problem, so one of our big initiatives is our no-cost/low-cost spay and neuter program," says Roxanne Smith of PAWS. PAWS also works with shelters and rescues to put animals with foster families to be socialized until they can find a "fur-ever" home.

The Krewe of PAWS Pet Parade, themed "PAWS Revisits the 80's" is Saturday, February 3 in Antique Alley. You can register the day of from 11-11:45 a.m. The parade kicks off at 1:30 p.m. For more information, visit the PAWS website or email kreweofpaws @ yahoo.com.