Last Sunday, the Dane County Humane Society, in partnership with the Monroe Street Merchants Association, hosted its fifth annual Dog Costume Parade, drawing canine households and their pooches to Monroe Street for the festivities.
The fundraising occasion welcomed as much as 40 members to hitch the parade. Proceeds from every $15 greenback entry ticket went to help the DCHS. Participants had been additionally given a present bag stuffed with treats and toys for his or her dogs to get pleasure from, courtesy of MadCat, the Madison-based chain of pet provide shops.
Despite the chilly climate, the car parking zone of the Monroe Street Chocolate Shoppe, the place the occasion began, was full of individuals and their dogs, a lot of them dressed of their finest costumes. From a HomeGoods worker to a pizza supply man, the costumes had been as various because the canine breeds in attendance.
Carol “Orange” Shroeder, chair of the Monroe Streets Merchant Association and co-owner of Orange Tree Imports, was impressed to carry the occasion to Madison after seeing comparable parades held in different cities. Shroeder, whereas a self-claimed cat person, mentioned she actually enjoys seeing the canine homeowners having fun with themselves, and that the dogs get pleasure from it too.
“It’s part of what Monroe Street does to give back to the community and show that we are really thrilled to be locally owned businesses,” mentioned Shroeder. “It’s one of many events that we do all year long that brings customers to our area and also gives back to our customers.”
Free dog-themed face portray was available for adults and kids, provided by native artist Kinga Johnson of Radiant Smiles Face Painting. Special frozen treats had been additionally supplied for the dogs to get pleasure from.
Participants and their pets walked the parade route by Wingra Park, ending at MadCat’s store on Knickerbocker Street, the place they claimed their goody luggage.
Many of those individuals and their animal companions come again yr after yr to attach with the native canine neighborhood, gown up with their pets and assist elevate money for the humane society.
Shanna Wolf, an area canine proprietor, has been to each canine parade up to now. “It’s a great fundraiser for the Dane County Humane Society. And just to see everyone’s creativity and be around dog people–it’s great!” she mentioned.
Other newcomers to the parade had been blissful to hitch the enjoyable. Eleno Alfaro, and her canine Zoe, had solely heard of the fundraising occasion this yr. She mentioned she was shocked to see the occasion was celebrating its fifth yr, however that it’s going to doubtless not be her final.
“This is my first one,” mentioned Alfaro, “and this will definitely be an annual tradition going forward.”
