25th Annual APA Canine Carnival

The twenty-fifth annual APA Canine Carnival was a huge success. The event was fun for all, including a pet costume contest for any four-legged attendees and let’s just say the costumes were creative. There were also booths around the park promoting values and the education work of the APA.

The director of humane education at the APA Jennifer Blome tells us that at the APA, “we’re all about pet adoption and education. Most of our animals come from families, they turn them in and we rehome them. And we do a lot of teaching classes to children about kindness, compassion, and responsible pet ownership.”

With the event being successful, the main idea was to educate pet owners on what the APA does. Not only does the event raise money for the APA, it also raises awareness for what the APA is doing in the St. Louis community, not only for people but for their furry friends too.

Groups like Gateway Pet Guardians were in attendance with adoptable dogs. Their booth was informative about their work in East St. Louis and what they do for stray pets in the St. Louis community. All dogs with Gateway Pets are strays that get a second chance at life and the possibility of finding a forever home.

For APA veterinarians like Shannon McCollough and Deneise Dietsch there is no better feeling than helping animals in need and giving them a second chance. Shannon told us: “I love to be able to educate people about their pets and we also just provide really great medical care, basic medical care that makes a difference in a lot of animals lives as well as the people. There’s a lot that we can do for very little and make a difference in quality of life for a lot of different pets.”

Happy feet and tails left the event Saturday maxed out on fun! To find out more about the APA and what they are doing in the St. Louis community visit them online.