Tail wagging, face licking and Raising Cane’s — the sixth annual Krewe of Mutts Parade is coming to downtown Baton Rouge Sunday at 1 p.m.
CAAWS is a 25-year-old non-profit organization — run by volunteers — that offers humane programs and a no-kill animal shelter, said Jolene Albright, president of the Capital Area Animal Welfare Society.
This year’s parade theme is Mutt Bowl VI: Super Mutts and Pigskin Pups, said Nancy Joe Kraig, parade founder.
“This is not just any parade,” Albright said. “It raises serious funds for a serious community issue.”
All parade proceeds benefit the CAAWS spay and neuter program, Albright said.
“The public has no idea how many animals are killed in this parish,” she said. “It makes no sense to keep bringing these animals into the world and then kill them.”
East Baton Rouge Parish impounds 13,000 animals annually, and euthanizes 10,000 of those, Albright said.
“Taxpayers pay for animal control — so even someone who’s not an animal lover need to be aware,” Albright said.
The goal of the parade is to help education the public about the importance of a spay and neuter program, she said.
It costs about $75 to adopt an animal from CAAWS, Albright said.
It costs CAAWS about $80 to spay or neuter the animal and keep it up to date on its shots, and the agency gets no government grants so they depend on donations, she said.
People can adopt animals from several different agencies at the parade, Albright said.
About 1,000 dogs will participate in the parade, and most will be dressed in football costumes, Kraig said.
“It’s hilarious to see the dogs dressed up,” she said.
People use the theme to dress their pets and themselves, said Kandace Walls, an event planner working with the Krewe of Mutts.
People throw beads and dog biscuits during the parade, Kraig said.
The pets can compete for post-parade prizes from Raising Cane’s for winning titles like “Best Float” and “Best Costume,” Walls said.
Before and after the parade, animals and their owners can go to Bark in the Park at the municipal parking lot, Kraig said.
Bark in the Park offers food for pets and owners, as well as educational booths and adoption opportunities, Kraig said.
Although CAAWS has 100 volunteers, they need many more for the parade to run smoothly, Albright said.
Most of the parade volunteers are from the University, Walls said.
University groups like the Pre-Vet Club, the Scotch Guard, and Silver Wings help with the parade, Albright said.
The parade’s main sponsor is Raising Cane’s, and the Grand Marshall is Cane II, the restaurant’s canine mascot, Kraig said.
Interested participants can register dogs at the parade from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or pre-register at Raising Cane’s locations, Saturday’s Farmer’s market or the CAAWS Web site, www.caaws.org.
Pre-registration is $25 for a single dog family and $30 for a multiple dog family.
To keep this event family friendly, entered dogs must be up to date on their shots, cannot be in heat, and must be on a short leash, Kraig said.