Ladies and gentlemen get your leashes ready!   The contests are posted and here’s a few:  Biggest Dog, Smallest Dog, Best Trick, Longest Tail, Shortest Tail, Best Beggar, Longest ears, Best Costume, Best Kisser, Best Barker, and that’s not all!  See you all Sunday, October 23rd, 11am – 4pm at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City.  Well behaved leashed pets are welcome!  Please no fleas!

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Check out our tv commercial now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4r-5j8ov1M

The Pet Adoption and Welfare Society of Carteret’s (PAWS) much anticipated event “OktoberPets” pet expo is scheduled for Sunday, October 23rd.  Realty World, First Coast Realty is the “Top Dog” sponsor for 2011.  As in years past the event venue will once again be the beautiful Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City.  Doors will open at 11:00 A.M. and close at 4 P.M. 

Admission to the event will be one dollar per person and one dollar per pet.  Family rates will also available. Over 200 canines attended last year’s event!  Healthy, well behaved pets with owners are welcome and must remain leashed.  Please, no fleas! 

Many events are scheduled including; Blessing of the Pets, Obedience Demos, a Doggie Fashion Show presented by Lollipups Doggie Bakery & Boutique of Emerald Isle, and contests such as Best Kisser, Best Costume, Largest & Smallest dog, Vendors, and Food!  There will also be door prizes and raffles!   PAWS will once again be offering a micro-chip clinic for $35 which includes the registration fee. AKC Good Citizen Certification will also be offered.  Adoptable pets will also be on hand checking out the crowd for a forever home! 

 Proceeds from the event are designated to help build Phase II of the PAWS Pet Adoption & Education Center which includes an alternative (no-kill) shelter. The shelter at full capacity will be able to house up to sixty animals.  Approximately one third of the funds ($535,000) for this project have already been raised by donations, pledges, and commitments.  $881,500 is needed to begin.  PAWS would like to break ground during 2012 and as an extra incentive to give, donations since January 2011 have been, and will continue to be matched dollar for dollar by the Neal Foundation. 

 To date, PAWS has rescued, rehabilitated, spayed, and neutered, and re-homed 577 animals.  Additionally, in Carteret County during 2011, PAWS provided a free feline leukemia testing clinic, gave away 4500 pounds of free dog and cat food, provided a free canine heartworm clinic with free heart guard, and also operates the companion (pet friendly) hurricane shelter at the Newport Middle School.  The main source of revenue for PAWS is a thrift store open 6 days per week at 1211 Bridges St. in Morehead City.  PAWS also has a Bark Park (dog park) located at 5042 Mattie St. in Morehead City.  You may direct any inquiries during normal business hours to Donna Youraine, Chairman of OktoberPets, Pet Expo, at 252-726-7925 or email at info@pawsofcarteret.org.

September 30th, October 1st, & October 2nd plan to park with PAWS while attending the North Carolina Seafood Festival in downtown Morehead City.  The PAWS parking lot is located in the 700 block of Bridges Street and still only $5.  This is one of the most convenient and central parking locations.  Be sure to let us know if you adopted a PAWS animal!!

Join PAWS and the Carteret County Senior Services for the 3rd ”Free Pet Food Giveaway” of 2011.  Hours of the event are Noon – 3pm on Thursday, September 29th and will be at the Leon Mann Senior Center in Morehead City!  This is dry dog & cat food.  Recipients must be at least 50 years old to participate and be a Carteret County resident.  Contact: 247.2626 with any questions in this regard.

Don’t forget that the PAWS annual membership meeting is scheduled for September 27th, social 6-6:30pm, meeting 6:30pm at the Train Depot, downtown Morehead City.