Clarisse receives a stomach rub at the fourth annual Doggie Street Festival at Steele Indian School Park on Saturday, Jan. 26. The annual festival was open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and was open to all kinds of pets. (Erin Thomas/DD)
Happy paws and wagging tails filled Steele Indian School Park Saturday for the fourth annual Doggie Street Festival.
Dogs, a few kittens and even pet rats from the downtown area went to the event along with their humans.
“This is always a well-attended festival,” said Kara Lee Anderson of the Arizona Border Collie Rescue. “In order to adopt from us you already have to be a pre-approved adopter, but this is a great way for us to get our name out and for people to see what Border Collies are like.”
The Doggie Street Festival, which originated in San Diego a little over a decade ago, has also spread to Los Angeles. The 2019 festival in Phoenix was the city’s fourth time hosting the event.
Bitty, a dog who came dressed as a unicorn, smiles for their portrait on Saturday, Jan. 26. The annual Doggie Street Festival also featured a kids art area, several speakers and tips from veterinarians. Other types of pets were also welcome. (Erin Thomas/DD)Dogs were not the only animals present at the Doggie Street Festival. Here, a pet rat named Ghost receives attention from two festival attendees. (Erin Thomas/DD)The annual festival also serves as an “adopt-a-thon,” featuring more than a dozen rescue organizations, including the Heeling Heelers Hearts Dog Rescue. (Erin Thomas/DD)
One of the festival’s primary functions was finding homes for dogs and over a dozen rescue organizations were in attendance.
Some rescues, such as the Arizona Beagle Rescue, Dane Haven Rescue and Arizona Border Collie Rescue focus on specific breeds. Others, like Animal Doctors to the Rescue and Rusty’s Angels Sanctuary, serve a broader spectrum of animals.
According to the Doggie Street Festival website, the event was sponsored by the Phoenix Dog Magazine, Sunset Press, San Diego Printers, Power 98.3 and Homewood Suites by Hilton.
Doozy, a Great Dane who is training as a therapy dog, takes a nap in the sunshine. In addition to functioning as a hub where rescue organizations could congregate and spread information, personal pet owners were invited to enjoy the scenes as well.(Erin Thomas/DD)Nora Thompson holds Buddy, who was up for adoption at the Doggie Street Festival in Steele Indian School Park on Saturday, Jan. 26. Many of the dogs at the festival, which also functions as an “adopt-a-thon,” are rescues. (Erin Thomas/DD)A dog-shaped mannequin by one of the tents at the Doggie Street Festival in Steele Indian School Park features fashionable outfits for dogs. The free event began at 10 a.m. and finished at 4 p.m. (Erin Thomas/DD)
The Doggie Street Festival also hosted a variety of organizations, including shelters with pets up for adoption and businesses that catered to dog owners. The event had free entry and began at 10 a.m., finishing at 4 p.m. the same day.
For the humans in attendance, there were opportunities to pick up veterinary tips, win raffle prizes and do kids’ art projects. The dogs didn’t miss out either: Many vendors gave out doggie cookies and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office gave out free leads.
From left, Amy, Barry and Buttercup investigate a curious finger. The cats were up for adoption at the Doggie Street Festival, which was not limited to dogs. (Erin Thomas/DD)The Doggie Street Festival hosted a variety of organizations, including shelters with pets up for adoption and businesses that catered to dog owners. The event has free entry and began at 10 a.m., finishing at 4 p.m. the same day. (Erin Thomas/DD)Punky, who is part pit bull, wears a colorful outfit to the festival. Although there was no costume competition, several dogs showed off their style at the annual event. (Erin Thomas/DD)
Editor’s note: All dog interviews were not conducted in English and therefore could not be included.
