The 2nd Annual Durham Pet Fair

On May 16, 2010, the much-anticipated 2nd Annual Durham Pet Fair held at Coginchaug Regional High School on Pickett Lane in Durham was hosted by Help Willy’s Friends and the Durham Veterinary Hospital. The 8,000 to 9,000 attendees (and approximately 1,000 of their pets) were treated to a warm sun shining on more than 45 animal shelters and rescue organizations, 86 retail vendors, fun, food, activities and entertainment. Best of all, they got to meet many remarkable animals looking for their forever homes.

Animal shelters and rescue organizations from Rhode Island to Massachusetts to Connecticut proudly showcased their adoptable animals to the eager and enthusiastic crowd. Dogs, cats, birds of prey and even ferrets seemed to feel the excitement of the day and made their best efforts to catch the eye of every potential adopter – and reaped the benefits. Over 75 animals traveled to their forever homes within weeks of that first fateful meeting at the fair.

Vendors from several states selling everything from handmade jewelry to luxurious pet beds to gourmet pet and people food enticed many attendees with their wares. Aromatic kettle corn, Faddy’s scrumptious ice cream, and cider donuts seemed to please even the most discriminating tastes while Willy’s Watering Hole helped quench the thirst brought on by all the sun and fun. Some of the best deals, however, were the free pet nail clipping by Cathy from Four Your Paws Only, free pet photography by David Dorn and John Blom, and deeply discounted microchipping (the proceeds of which were donated by Dr. Kumar of the Durham Veterinary Hospital to Help Willy’s Friends).

Many of the activities of the day were enjoyed from a front-row seat on a picnic blanket on the field. Dogs of all shapes and sizes showed their stuff from the Southern Connecticut Agility Team and still others took flight with amazing aerial feats for Skyhoundz, hosts of the annual Hyperflite Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championship. The Connecticut State Police – Canine Unit showcased their most talented animals and D.A.W.G.S. (Disaster and Wilderness Ground Searchers) demonstrated their dogs’ lifesaving techniques and skill.

Some of the most exciting activities took place beneath the Help Willy’s Friends “Big Top.” Durham Wine and Spirits presented a unique vodka-tasting and pledged to donate $1 for every bottle of Ursus flavored vodka they sell this year to Help Willy’s Friends. A very successful silent auction featuring everything from concert tickets to sports memorabilia helped to fund the annual Help Willy’s Friends Essay Contest – the $3,000 first place prize was awarded to The Meriden Humane Society.

Above it all, the voice and music of Ralph Sacco of MusicMania DJ fame, could be heard making announcements and expressing sincere thanks to all the sponsors and participants on behalf of Help Willy’s Friends and the Durham Veterinary Hospital. Once his band, Radio Orange, took the stage to play many popular styles of music, however, the real entertainment began!

Most agreed that the Pet Parade was the biggest crowd-pleaser of the day. Dogs available for adoption were introduced and their biographies engagingly read by radio personality, Pam Landry. As if they knew that they were the stars of the day, the dogs marched throughout the fairgrounds alongside their rescuers, wearing pride on their faces and their hearts upon their sleeves and bringing tears to the eyes of many watching – reminding all of the countless animals waiting to find their forever homes.

The Durham Pet Fair can best be summed up by the experience of one of the Help Willy’s Friends volunteers, “I was directing traffic when an older couple drove up and wanted to know what was going on. I explained the fair and its purpose to them. They became very excited and told me that they had been trying to find a dog to adopt, but nothing seemed to work out. About an hour later I saw them as they were driving out. With big smiles on their faces, they leaned out the window and yelled: ‘WE’RE ADOPTING A DOG! WE’RE ADOPTING A DOG!'”