• By Kelly Nash
• Posted Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Reynolda Village Pet Stroll

This Saturday, June 12th, Forsyth County Animal Control will participate in the 3rd annual Pet Stroll, held at Reynolda Village from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. This social event will allow pet owners and their dogs to mingle, shop, and donate to a charitable cause!

In conjunction with other community organizations, there will be entertainment and education at the Pet Stroll. Current shelter pets and shelter alumni will be present from 12:00 - 2:00 pm as ambassadors for the many adoptable pets available year-round at our facility. Large donation bins will be available at our station where visitors may deposit pet food/supplies for our flourishing AniMeals program. Since the current recession began the number of households receiving assistance from the program has increased 150%. Donations are needed!

The AniMeals program of Forsyth County Department of Animal Control, inspired by a similar program offered by Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego, offers pet food donated to the Forsyth County Animal Shelter as free pet food for the dogs and cats of low-income, elderly or disabled pet owners throughout Forsyth County. The goal of the AniMeals program is to help keep people and their companion pets together by removing logistical and financial obstacles to ensure that clients will always be able to provide nutritious meals for their beloved pets.

People who donate to the AniMeals program may also receive two valuable coupons: a discount coupon for participating Reynolda Village retailers, where smaller monetary donation receptacles for AniMeals will also be available; and a 30% discount certificate to the Forsyth Spay and Neuter Clinic for a spay/neuter operation and low cost vaccines.

The Winston Salem Dog Training Center will feature an obstacle course, from 10:00 am – 1:30 pm, to showcase their own well-trained stars, and to offer visiting pooches a chance to brave the course as well! At 1:30 pm at the Village Smith Gallery a pet costume contest will be held with categories for Best Dressed, Best Tail-wager, Smallest Dog and Biggest Dog. Animal portrait artist and painter Margaret Mitchell will be showing works of her animal portraits and offering her artistic services for anyone wanting a permanent memory of his/her pet.

For more information about the upcoming Pet Stroll, please visit Reynolda Village’s website, listen for announcements on WFDD, or contact the Forsyth County Animal Control Department at (336 703-2480.