(Manahawkin) – After being cancelled last year due to the pandemic, the Southern Ocean County Animal Facility is back hosting the annual Fall Furfest and Halloween Pet Parade on Saturday, October 23rd, from 1- 4PM.
“This event has become such a special opportunity for pet owners to dress up their pets and celebrate Halloween with their 4-legged friends,” said Gerry P. Little, Ocean County Commissioner, Liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health. “The event is so much fun for the whole family whether participating in the parade or just coming out to watch.”
Daniel Regenye, Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) Public Health Coordinator/Health Officer added, “So many pet owners come up with some very creative costumes and you never know what to expect. But you can certainly expect it to be another exciting and enjoyable day for the children, adults and the pets.”
Prizes and ribbons are awarded in the categories of Best, Funniest, Cutest, Scariest and Most Original costumes. Event organizers ask that parade participants please arrive at 1PM to register their pet. The costume parade gets underway at 1:30PM.
“We like to remind people that the event has always been more than just the costume parade. It’s also been a successful way to promote our animal facilities and all the wonderful cats and dogs we have available for adoption,” explained Brian Lippai, OCHD Public Information Officer. “If you’ve been seriously considering adopting a cat or dog then come out for the parade and stop in to visit all of our adorable animals looking for their forever home.”
Ocean County Animal Facility pets are spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, and receive age-appropriate vaccinations. The Southern Ocean County Animal Facility, operated under the care of the Ocean County Health Department, is located at 360 Haywood Road in Manahawkin. The OCHD also operates a second animal facility at 615 Freemont Avenue in Jackson.
For more information regarding the Furfest or pet adoptions, please call 609-978-0127 or 732-657-8086.
You can see the pets available for adoption by visiting the Ocean County Health Department website at www.ochd.org or on Petfinder.com. You can follow the Health Department on Twitter@OCpublichealth or like the Health Department on Facebook.