I’m fairly certain that my regular readers know by now that I am a proud pet owner and what you would definitely consider an animal person.
What the more astute regular readers also may know about me is that I like to take part in making my community a better place by being involved in what I consider to be worthwhile causes and groups.
Well, I’d like to bring your attention to something that is a perfect marriage of the two. Something that, since the second year of its existence I have been fortunate enough to be involved in quite closely: The Roslyn Pet Fair.
Commissioner Lori Schreiber holding up 14 ounces of cuteness
The 6th Annual Roslyn Pet Fair will take place this coming Saturday, June 11th from 10am to 1pm at The Church of the Living Word, located at 1250 Easton Road in Roslyn. As always, admission to the event is 100% free! Additionally, well-behaved leashed pets are welcome since the day is really about them.
Organized by the Roslyn Events Committee, a group that is spearheaded by Abington Ward 14 Commissioner Lori Schreiber, the Roslyn Pet Fair has been providing a resource of donations and contributions to local animal charities since 2006.
Commissioner Schreiber described the Roslyn Pet Fair as an event that was created as a service to the local Roslyn community (and beyond) to help bring together pets, pet owners and homeless animals in need of being adopted. Every penny raised goes directly to the rescue groups and shelters set up at each year’s Fair. More importantly, the Roslyn Pet only supports groups or organizations that favor the ethical treatment of animals. No donations or proceeds are given to any group that breeds animals for profit.
What first started in a large parking lot across the street from the Roslyn Firehouse found a new home three years ago at The Church of the Living Word in the heart of Roslyn and centrally located on Easton Road. More importantly, the church offers a grassy locale to help those attendees with sensitive paws. Highlights of the Pet Fair regularly include a doggie pool to keep the pooches cool, sweets and food for sale for the two-legged attendees and plenty of freebies and giveaways from the committee and from some of the attendees.
Our Booth at the Pet Fair in 2009
In past years my wife and I have had tables set up under the name of “Two Hands for Four Paws” selling artwork (Nicole does sketches of people’s dogs and cats – and even once a parrot), homemade dog treats and handmade crafts. Much like the other artisans who set up at the Pet Fair every year, a portion of our proceeds were donated to be split equally amongst any of the animal rescues and non-profit organizations who show up to help make the world a better place for animals and the people who love them. While we will not have a table this year, I will be working the Fair all day long helping everyone set up, making sure the day goes smoothly. Sort of like being a cruise director but never having to leave the shore.
One of the other ways that the Roslyn Pet Fair helps raise money for the local rescues and shelters is through the sales of raffle tickets for items and baskets donated by local individuals and businesses.
Under the name of the Suburban Geek blog, in fact, I have donated a basket containing over $200 worth of comic books and trade paperbacks. Other items that will be raffled off include a $25 gift card from Genuardi’s, a full service auto detailing courtesy of Sussman Automotive, one free month of pet poo removal from CleanScoop, and pet related gift baskets and packages from the Collie Rescue of Southeastern PA, Pabby’s Pet Pantry and Bow Wow Wow WOW. There is also a one year subscription to Tails Magazine, a Phillies plaque featuring the team’s “Four Aces” (donated by Roslyn resident and DJ extraordinaire Carmen Maliziac) and a gift-filled picnic cooler donated by Tis The Season Holiday Boutique.
The individuals and groups that will be set up at vendors at the Roslyn Pet Fair this year include:
Almost Home Dog Rescue*
Best Friends Pet Care
Bow Wow Wow WOW
Briar Bush Nature Center
Canine Cancer Research USA*
Collie Rescue of Southeastern PA*
Hamilton Animal Hospital
Linda Gabbamonte
Invisible Fence by StayDog
Montgomery County S.P.C.A. of PA*
Northeast Animal Rescue*
Pabby’s Pet Pantry
PetValu
Pet Smart (Willow Grove)
Rau Animal Hospital
The Roslyn Free Library
Saved by a Whisker*
United Against Puppy Mills*
Y2K9s Dog Sports Club
(Vendors marked with an * will be recipients of an equal share of all proceeds raised and dontated through the Roslyn Events Committee)
The Roslyn Pet Fair is on Facebook and Twitter.
For more information on the Roslyn Pet Fair or to find out how you can participate as a vendor or make a donation to next year’s event, email RoslynPetFair@gmail.com.
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