LIVINGSTON, NJ — Dogs and their owners are gearing up for Regal Bank’s eighth annual Livingston Dog Pawrade. The community event and fundraiser will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18, in the parking lot of Regal Bank, 570 West Mt. Pleasant Ave. in Livingston.
The Dog Pawrade is filled with family-oriented entertainment, contests and fun. Friendly, well-socialized dogs are welcome to wear their best Halloween costume and compete for prizes that recognize the largest dog, smallest dog and best doggie costume. The winners will receive trophies and, because all of the dogs are truly winners, each will go home with a bag of goodies. To avoid delays, participants are kindly asked to arrive earlier to register their dogs if they are not already pre-registered at a Regal Bank branch.
This year, all proceeds will benefit the Livingston Animal Shelter for the first time. The primary goal of the fundraiser is to purchase a new van for the shelter. To further the good cause, the Livingston Animal Shelter committee chair and members are reaching out to adoption agencies so that attending families can meet pets that are available for adoption. Eastman Companies will be the host photographer for the day. The event will also showcase local vendors and a photo booth to capture the memories.
“We greatly appreciate Regal Bank’s kindness in helping our shelter and our community’s animals. Public support is absolutely critical to keeping our shelter operating so that we can care for these precious animals who are eager to find new homes,” Gerriann Petrullo, chairperson for Livingston Animal Shelter, said in a press release.
The Livingston Dog Pawrade is organized and led by Christina Slater, vice president and regional manager of Regal Bank. A devoted dog lover herself, Slater created the Dog Pawrade to raise much-needed proceeds for the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, which saves more than 1,000 lives every year.
“We’re proud to say that the Livingston Dog Pawrade has raised thousands of dollars to help homeless animals in need,” Slater said in the release. “If you’re a local dog owner, please join us this year and enjoy a fun outing with your pet while you help to make a difference for other animals that are not as lucky to have a happy home.”
Those interested in participating in the Dog Pawrade can pre-register at any Regal Bank branch location. There is a fee to pre-register and any additional dogs within the same family can be registered at a discount; registration costs more the day of the event. For more information, call 973-577-7161 or 973-577-7160.