Furry friends of all shapes, sizes and breeds will descend upon Fowler Park next weekend as the Humane Society of Forsyth County holds its third annual Mutts & More Festival.The festival, set for noon to 6 p.m. May 19, includes about 20 different dog and cat rescue groups from the north Georgia area. Lance White, president of the society’s board of directors, said more than 400 animals are expected to be up for adoption through different organizations. “We’re all in this together with the adoption thing and trying to save as many animals as possible,” he said. “Last year we adopted out 53 dogs and cats at Mutts & More, and this year we’re hoping to adopt out over 100.”Last year’s festival drew between 10,000 and 12,000 people. Besides finding homes for animals, the festival also serves a way to educate the local community about the humane society. “Most people get us confused with animal control, but we’re totally separate,” White said. “We do not receive any money from federal, state or local governments.” Rather, he said, the society receives 100 percent of its funding from adoption fees, grants, proceeds from its thrift store in Tri County Plaza, and fundraisers. In addition to animal adoptions, the festival, which will be held rain or shine, will also feature arts and crafts vendors, live music, food, kids’ games, and dog demonstrations. White added that any nonprofit in Forsyth is invited to have a free booth.Another popular activity is the Mutt Strutt, in which dog owners can parade their pooches. They register their dog online and solicit funds from family and friends. All funds raised during Mutts & Moore, for which there is no admission fee, will benefit the humane society, which provides Forsyth’s only no-kill animal shelter. White said the society is “maxed out,” with about 180 dogs and 220 cats in its care through the shelter on Keith Bridge Road and in foster homes.
Furry friends of all shapes, sizes and breeds will descend upon Fowler Park next weekend as the Humane Society of Forsyth County holds its third annual Mutts & More Festival.The festival, set for noon to 6 p.m. May 19, includes about 20 different dog and cat rescue groups from the north Georgia area. Lance White, president of the society’s board of directors, said more than 400 animals are expected to be up for adoption through different organizations. “We’re all in this together with the adoption thing and trying to save as many animals as possible,” he said. “Last year we adopted out 53 dogs and cats at Mutts & More, and this year we’re hoping to adopt out over 100.”Last year’s festival drew between 10,000 and 12,000 people. Besides finding homes for animals, the festival also serves a way to educate the local community about the humane society. “Most people get us confused with animal control, but we’re totally separate,” White said. “We do not receive any money from federal, state or local governments.” Rather, he said, the society receives 100 percent of its funding from adoption fees, grants, proceeds from its thrift store in Tri County Plaza, and fundraisers. In addition to animal adoptions, the festival, which will be held rain or shine, will also feature arts and crafts vendors, live music, food, kids’ games, and dog demonstrations. White added that any nonprofit in Forsyth is invited to have a free booth.Another popular activity is the Mutt Strutt, in which dog owners can parade their pooches. They register their dog online and solicit funds from family and friends. All funds raised during Mutts & Moore, for which there is no admission fee, will benefit the humane society, which provides Forsyth’s only no-kill animal shelter. White said the society is “maxed out,” with about 180 dogs and 220 cats in its care through the shelter on Keith Bridge Road and in foster homes.