West Plains, Mo. – The highly anticipated Paws for a Cause Pet Show and Festival is set to take place this Saturday, May 3, at the West Plains Civic Center, offering a fun-filled day of activities for the whole family, both two-legged and four-legged alike. The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and admission is free to the public.
Hosted to benefit Ozarks Pet Rescue, all proceeds from the event, including entry fees, raffle tickets, and carnival games, will go directly toward supporting the care and adoption of local rescue animals.
Event Highlights
The festival features a variety of attractions, including:
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A seven-category pet show with prizes
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A food truck festival featuring local favorites
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A wide array of vendors
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Carnival-style games
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Face painting
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Raffles and silent auctions
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Demonstrations by Complete Canine Academy
Pet lovers are encouraged to sign up their dogs for the pet show, which begins at 9:45 a.m. The entry fee is $10 per dog, which allows entry into any and all categories. Categories include:
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Best Agility – Starts at 9:45 a.m. (Participants may walk the course at 9:20 a.m)
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Best Tricks – Starts at 10:45 a.m.
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Best Costume – Starts at 11:15 a.m.
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Dynamic Duo (dog-and-handler or dog-and-dog matching outfits) – Starts at 11:45 a.m.
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Prettiest Pup (puppies under one year) – Starts at 12:30 p.m.
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Adorable Adult (dogs over one year) – 1:00 p.m.
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Ugliest Dog (and Proud of It!) – 1:20 p.m.
Participants may register on the day of the event, as long as their selected category has not already taken place. Winners and the Best of Show recipient will be announced at approximately 1:45 p.m. A $50 cash prize, sponsored by Starbarks Pet Grooming & Spa, will be awarded to the Best of Show winner.
Additional Attractions
Visitors can enjoy games such as Pop Toss, Prize Punch, Cornhole, and more. A family-friendly scavenger hunt is also planned to begin around 12:00 p.m., with prizes awarded to the top teams.
A wide variety of raffle items and vendor-donated baskets will be available throughout the day. One notable raffle prize is a $50 gift certificate to Nadine’s Homemade Ice Cream in West Plains.
Community Support
This event has been made possible thanks to the generous support from sponsors, including:
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Starbarks Pet Grooming and Spa
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Complete Canine Academy
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Hart Family Eyecare
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Always Faithful Memorial Services
“The goal is to raise funds for local animals in need while bringing the community together for a day of fun,” said the event organizer. “Whether you’re signing up your pet, playing carnival games, or just stopping by to enjoy some food, you’re making a difference.”
How to Get Involved
Volunteers are still welcome and encouraged to assist with set-up, carnival games, and general support throughout the day. Anyone interested should arrive at the Civic Center between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. Don’t forget to sign up your dog to help fundraise and have a great time.
For more information or last-minute inquiries, follow the Paws for a Cause Pet Show and Festival Facebook page.
