A cluster of tents dedicated to dog supplies and services, food trucks lining the road to offer unique treats, and a range of live entertainment set the stage for Rescue Rehome Repeat’s last adoption event of the month. From 5 PM to 9 PM on July 31st, a small stretch of shops on Florida Boulevard saw people and pets alike gathered around enjoying the simplicity of the event’s outdoor nature as well as the specialized services offered. The theme, Food, Fido, and Friends, featured a focus on food trucks while offering safe spaces for all furry friends, from those already happily adopted to others eagerly waiting for their forever home.
Rescue Rehome Repeat operates as a no-kill, non-profit organization that rescues dogs from across the entire state as well as the state’s borders along Mississippi and Texas. They offer adoptions as well as foster and volunteer services and can typically rescue around 20 to 50 dogs per month, with a usual rate of around 10 adoptions per event hosted.
“We wanted to have some of the community involved with us,” Special Event Coordinator Lacy Mills explained,” so we can work together to adopt animals… through these events.”
“Our goal pretty much every event is to clear out the kennels,” Director Terri Dunlap added. “We can have as many as 100 and some odd dogs [in the program] at one time.”
As the event began, it didn’t take long for a match to be made. Only 28 minutes passed before the first adoption of the night occurred, with many more heart-warming connections following. Families and children were seen walking their newest four-legged family member around the concrete square, grinning from ear to ear and eagerly checking out the dog treats for sale nearby.
Several dog-centered services were in attendance for the event and saw plenty of puppy paws stop at their stalls, including Salty Paws Mobile Dog Bath, Geaux Poop, and Pet Supplies Plus.
For those in need of cool refreshments to beat the afternoon heat, the ever popular Mimi’s Italian Ice, Red Stick Dirty Soda, and Sweet Scoops Rolling Creamery were open to all. La Casita, Rougaroux Capitol Bodega, and NRD Nachos offered more filling options and dinner plates for even the hungriest stomachs.
Additionally, on the entertainment side of the event, attendees enjoyed musical styling by DJ KJack while painting dog themed ceramics and small canvases provided by Brushfire Art Studio. Hippi Dippi Ballooni’s face painting and balloon twisting proved a hit with the children while their parents chose patches for their own custom hats at Posh & Patched Co’s stall.
Overall, the event was a certified hit with dozens of happy faces and wagging tails, marking the beginning of a happier chapter in the lives of many of the dogs that Rescue Rehome Repeat saved from the streets. For anyone interested in adopting or just offering support, the Back to School, Back to Love event will be held on August 8th from 10 AM to 3 PM at 9360 Florida Blvd, Walker.
