North Georgia Animal League chairman Alison Smith-Hardinger says the second annual Pet Fair will be packed with items and events for pet lovers to see and do.

Children of all ages will have the chance to pet an alpaca (cousin of the llama) and miniature horses.

Veterinarian Eric Miller will administer rabies vaccinations between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The cost will be $12.

While Dr. Miller gives shots, photographer Charles Canfield will be on hand to take shots of the pets people bring for the pet show, which begins at 2:30 p.m.

The Obedience Club of Chattanooga will perform demonstrations in canine agility, an obstacle course competition that has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds.

The club will also show off flyball, a timed relay event with teams of four dogs.

The dogs race over hurdles to eject and catch a ball from the other end before returning. “The dogs have a blast — it’s quite a sight to see,” Smith-Hardinger said.

She said the club will perform demonstrations in freestyle, which is essentially doggie choreography to theme music, and both competition and rally obedience.

“Rally obedience is an upbeat way of performing the dry, military-style competition obedience drills,” Smith-Hardinger said.

“A lot of folks at the Obedience Club are using this as an opportunity to practice away from the training facility,” she said, indicating that it’s nice to be able to show off the hard work of both dog and trainer for the public.

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What: North Georgia Animal League Pet Fair


Where: Walker County Agricultural Center, behind the Civic Center on U.S. 27 in Rock Spring


When: Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free to the public

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The Walker County and City of LaFayette K9 task forces will show off their canines’ law enforcement skills, and there will be a presentation by Search & Rescue Dogs of Georgia.

There will be a 50-50 raffle, where the proceeds from the raffle ticket sales are split between the winner and the Animal League.

Flea market items and refreshments will be for sale, with proceeds going toward Animal League programs like spay/neuter clinics.

Smith-Hardinger said that volunteers are very much needed for the event. To volunteer or for more information call the North Georgia Animal League at (706) 375-8000.

North Georgia Animal League meets at the Ag Center on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. to plan events and discuss issues regarding animal rights, care, safety and training.

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