LIVERPOOL -- The Priscilla Mahar Animal Welfare Foundation had it's second annual Canine Carnival at the Wegmans Good Dog Park in Liverpool, NY this past Saturday August 6th, and it was a huge success! The numbers below tell the story of how Canine Carnival has fast become a much anticipated central New York event.

4000 - 5000 people attended (nearly double one year ago)
41 rescue/foster organizations represented (three times one year ago)
17 business-type and food vendors (three times one year ago)
30 - 45 minute traffic back up on Rte 370 and John Glenn Blvd. Police and Sheriff Departments overheard saying "We have never seen traffic like this before"

Onondaga County Parks has already told PMAWF that the Canine Carnival has outgrown the Wegmans Good Dog Park area.

THE MOST important thing is there were dozens, if not hundreds of animals adopted, including at least one horse.

One rescue alone, Second Chance Rescue in Waterloo, NY reports as of Sunday evening 8 dogs finding new homes. Money numbers are not finalized yet, but total money raised will likely fall in the $6000 - $10,000 range.

AHEAD FOR CANINE CARNIVAL 2012?

As with most events showing incredible growth, we have a few growing pains, our two most prominent being physical space and traffic. We have some ideas and will be discussing. Stay tuned. Other initial ideas for Canine Carnival 12', some of which we have already discussed, include adding activities and events that include the audience and their pets for increased audience participation and the additional of actual carnival-type rides for the kids. We will most certainly look forward to having more rescues and vendors of all types once we make decisions on space and traffic.

Canine Carnival 2011 had two primary sponsors, Wegmans and CNYcentral. I and my PMAWF Committee are thankful for their interest and backing of this event. I also want to sincerely thank Laura, Jen, Marissa and my PMAWF Committee for their hard work and dedication, especially Lisa Chelenza who helped me start the PMAWF almost four years ago on behalf of my Mother who passed away in March 2007.  Also to be thanked are the many rescues and vendors of all walks who participated, the many donors we had for a variety of things from raffle items to silent auction surprises, all of our hard working staff and volunteers, the thousands who attended, County Parks and Sheriff and their great staffs and the media for their help in "getting the word out".

See everyone at Canine Carnival 2012 on Saturday August 4th. Bigger and Better!

Wayne Mahar
President
Priscilla Mahar Animal Welfare Foundation