March in costume this Saturday for two good causes

MATAMORAS — Come support both the Pike County Humane Society and Safe Haven of Pike County at the first-ever Mutts and Meows Masquerade March. All you need to do is find a costume for your pet and come on out to Matamoras Airport Park for a short walk to show off your pet which ends with a friendly costume contest. The march will be held on Saturday Oct. 20 with registration from 9 to 11 a.m., and marching, at your own pace, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The March route is approximately ¼-mile long, from First Street to Airport Park. Those without pets are welcome to view and enjoy the Masquerade March and costume contest. This joint fundraiser is to raise awareness of the correlation between violence against animals and violence against people. There is an entry fee of $10 per pet, but all people can enter for free. There will be twelve categories for guest judges, which include funniest costume, cutest costume, scariest costume, most original costume, pet owner look- alike, ugliest pet, most unique pet, smallest dog, largest dog, best costume on a rescued animal, best costume on animal that isn’t a dog, best use of the color purple (in honor of Safe Haven’s paint the town purple awareness campaign) and of course the highly coveted best in show. For your $10 per pet donation, you can enter any or all of the judged categories. Showing your finest pet etiquette, you are expected to clean up after your pet. For the safety of you, your pet and all pets and people around you, all pets must be either leashed at all times or in a secure pet carrier. For more information please e-mail Steve at swarshaw@ptd.net or Linda at llstarza04@aol.com.