Unleash Pet Fest offers interactive opportunities in downtown Cornwall

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When can a teenager walk down Pitt Street and pet a ball python?

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That’s what Cayden Briere did while attending the popular Ecofauna Zoo and Education stand next to the green space of the Cornwall Square car park.

Ecofauna was one of more than a dozen exhibitors on hand for hundreds of pet lovers like Cayden during Saturday’s Unleash Pet Fest in downtown Cornwall.

There was a definite mix-up, even between the different species of pets, including Karma, a rough collie who briefly sniffed one of Ecofauna’s pygmy rabbits.

“It’s really nice to see the variety of animals,” said Karma owner Julie Leduc, who raises Pomeranian puppies.

Across the street was King & Queen Reptiles, where a number of lizards and snakes were on display for sale.

The hundreds of people who visited were great exposure not only for private pet businesses, but also for the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ local booth.

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There, local artist Lise Oikle had one of the pet paintings she incorporated for a calendar fundraiser benefiting the OSPCA on display.

OSPCA representative Arianne Kirkey said being visible to the public allows them to educate the general public about their services and orient them to the items the Boundary Road shelter needs on a daily basis.

Pet rescue organizations such as Heidi Kitty Haven, which specializes in taking in unwanted cats, were also on the scene.

Many visitors were also given a place to exercise their dog, as DogLoversDays set up a ‘bait course’, which allows canines to chase a white toy pulled in front of a cable. (Not sure if any of the contestants caught it until the pulley stopped).

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Frank and Margaret Reilly of Perth, Ontario had their dog, Finley, try out the course.

They were there to support his sister Margaret, who runs The Perth Barkery, a manufacturer of dog biscuits.

They said they were impressed by the number of exhibitors.

“It’s wonderful that they were able to get so many vendors and also save shelters,” Margaret Reilly said.

Artist Robert Lariviere also auctioned off his artwork to raise money for Rico’s Refuge Cat Rescue and PawPortunity Rescue, two local organizations that help felines find forever homes.

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