‘Pit Bulls on Parade’ returns to Issaquah on Aug. 25

BullsEye Dog Rescue, a Pacific Northwest Pit Bull rescue and education group, will host its fourth annual "Pit Bulls on Parade" event on Saturday, Aug. 25 in Issaquah. The event, which is free to the public, will feature adoptable Pit Bulls from throughout the Puget Sound region, and will raise money and awareness for the rescue and promotion of responsible ownership for Pit Bull type dogs.

August 9, 2012 7:54 pm

 

BullsEye Dog Rescue, a Pacific Northwest Pit Bull rescue and education group, will host its fourth annual “Pit Bulls on Parade” event on Saturday, Aug. 25 in Issaquah. The event, which is free to the public, will feature adoptable Pit Bulls from throughout the Puget Sound region, and will raise money and awareness for the rescue and promotion of responsible ownership for Pit Bull type dogs.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverdog Canine Coaching, 1400 19th Ave. NW.

“There are an estimated 9 million to 10 million Pit Bulls in the United States today, and they are the fourth most licensed breed of dog in Seattle,” said Lorrie Kalmbach-Ehlers, president of BullsEye Dog Rescue. “Despite the handful of negative incidents you read about in the news, the majority of Pit Bulls are simply living their lives as cherished family members, therapy and working dogs. This event celebrates the real Pit Bull for its intelligence, athleticism and goofy personality.”

Similar to previous years, the day’s festivities will include demonstrations in weight pull, slat mill, agility, nosework and flyball, with a chance for the public to try many of these activities with their own dogs.

The event will also feature a fun “conformation” completion with categories such as best kisser, best trick and best butt wiggle.

Raffle drawings will be held for prizes donated by local businesses, and the event will culminate with a parade of adoptable Pit Bulls from rescues and shelters around the Puget Sound region. More than 25 vendors are expected at this year’s event, ranging from rescue groups to animal artists.

BullsEye Dog Rescue also is offering free Canine Good Citizen testing for Pit Bulls and Pit mixes ($10 for other breeds). Canine Good Citizen (CGC) is a nationally recognized certification program that rewards dogs who have good manners in the home and in the community.

For every Pit Bull or Pit Bull mix that earns his or her CGC, BullsEye will earn $150 through a grant from Animal Farm Foundation. For more information on the Canine Good Citizen, including testing requirements, visit www.akc.org/events/cgc.

Event participants also can have their dogs microchipped on-site for just $20 (a $40 value), thanks to services donated by Coalition: HUMAnE Spay and Neuter Clinic. The clinic also will be providing information to participants wishing to have their pets spayed or neutered at a discounted rate.