Walking with the animals
Detail:
I was reading a news item the other day about a pet parade in the town of Winsted, Connecticut. Dogs on leashes, rabbits and chickens in decorated cages, horses, floats and children on bicycles took part in the 74-year-old Pet Parade, sponsored by the Rotary Club.
Seventy-four years. Now that’s a lot of animals on parade, and at the same time a fun way to give exposure to pets and give voice to the unique bond that exists between humans and their pets.
Now it does appear as if parades are pretty much part and parcel of American life – there seems to be a parade for every eventuality and celebration.
Yet we Brits are not exactly strangers to the parade phenomena. There’s London’s New Year’s Day Parade, the Brighton Festival, which kicks off with the annual carnival parade, Trooping the Colour, the Luton Caribbean Carnival and, of course, the Notting Hill Carnival.
Why don’t we have a pet parade? For a country that calls itself a nation of pet lovers, it’s almost surprising that someone somewhere has not thought to put two and four legs through their paces!
As a stand-alone event, the parade could end at some suitable venue that could play host to trade stands, food stalls, demonstrations, face paintings, animal care talks, animal photographer, microchipping, etc, etc. Registration proceeds could go to selected animal charities.
A fun day out for the family and pet lovers and a chance to demonstrate that not every dog is a poop-making weapon trained to attack. It could even be a handy tool to get more people interested in owning a pet and, therefore, growing the trade.
An interesting notion, I’m sure.
However, I’m not sure whether such an event could ever see the light of day here. What with over-zealous local authorities, animal welfare activists and health and safety considerations gone way over the top, it is possible that any effort might be killed stone dead in its tracks.
If all these considerations could be dealt with – after all, lawsuit-trigger-happy America holds a number of pet parades without fear – do you think such a venture would work in the UK? I’d like to think so.
Seventy-four years. Now that’s a lot of animals on parade, and at the same time a fun way to give exposure to pets and give voice to the unique bond that exists between humans and their pets.
Now it does appear as if parades are pretty much part and parcel of American life – there seems to be a parade for every eventuality and celebration.
Yet we Brits are not exactly strangers to the parade phenomena. There’s London’s New Year’s Day Parade, the Brighton Festival, which kicks off with the annual carnival parade, Trooping the Colour, the Luton Caribbean Carnival and, of course, the Notting Hill Carnival.
Why don’t we have a pet parade? For a country that calls itself a nation of pet lovers, it’s almost surprising that someone somewhere has not thought to put two and four legs through their paces!
As a stand-alone event, the parade could end at some suitable venue that could play host to trade stands, food stalls, demonstrations, face paintings, animal care talks, animal photographer, microchipping, etc, etc. Registration proceeds could go to selected animal charities.
A fun day out for the family and pet lovers and a chance to demonstrate that not every dog is a poop-making weapon trained to attack. It could even be a handy tool to get more people interested in owning a pet and, therefore, growing the trade.
An interesting notion, I’m sure.
However, I’m not sure whether such an event could ever see the light of day here. What with over-zealous local authorities, animal welfare activists and health and safety considerations gone way over the top, it is possible that any effort might be killed stone dead in its tracks.
If all these considerations could be dealt with – after all, lawsuit-trigger-happy America holds a number of pet parades without fear – do you think such a venture would work in the UK? I’d like to think so.
By:
Sandra
Date/time :
20/05/2010
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