A record number of people and pups perused Lake Eola Park Saturday for the 28th annual "Paws in the Park" fundraiser.
What You Need To Know
- The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando held its 28th annual "Paws in the Park" pet festival fundraiser
- The event, which took place at Lake Eola Park, drew a record crowd, organizers said
- Money from the event will go toward supporting the Pet Alliance, which is still reeling from a tragic fire at its Orlando location in September
The amount of participation in the event seems to signal a bright future for an organization that overcame adversity just a few months ago.
While the "Paws in the Park" pet festival has been benefiting the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando for 28 years, the group's legacy in Orlando is even longer — it has been operating in the city for 86 years (which would be 602 in dog years).
The Pet Alliance has a longstanding history in the area, but organizers said this year they saw exceptional turnout — record turnout, even — and said Saturday's event was the biggest it has ever been.
Executive Director Steve Bardy said he's been touched to see the amount of compassion the Pet Alliance has received over the past several months, ever since a large fire ravaged the group's Orlando location, back in September.
"We've always been part of the community," he said. "I think the fire really taught us how much a part of the community we are, and the response that we got from people has been overwhelming, and has really lifted our spirits. Today is just kind of a culmination of that."
The event featured a furry fashion show, as well as a lure contest that had many dogs feeling up for the chase.
Before the even even started Saturday, Bardy said the Pet Alliance had already exceeded its fundraising goal.