Syracuse, N.Y. — A jamboree of dog lovers, volunteers, and vendors are coming together for the first time to raise awareness and take action against the ongoing issue of pet abandonment in Central New York.
The Canine Jamboree, the successor to Wayne’s Canine Carnival after Wayne Mahar announced his retirement earlier this year, is the largest animal rescue event in the Northeast. It features around 65 vendors, including rescues, shelters, and pet-related merchandise from across New York state.
The rescues and shelters will bring adoptable dogs to take part in the “Adoptable Dog Walk,” with local celebrities like Otto the Orange, Syracuse University’s mascot, parading the dogs in the show ring as spectators from across Central New York cheer them on. Many attendees are looking for a new four-legged friend to adopt. Over the years, numerous successful adoptions have taken place at the Canine Jamboree and Wayne’s Canine Carnival.
Morgan Bicknell, an event coordinator at Galaxy Media and event lead for the Canine Jamboree, said it’s one of her favorite events to plan, especially as a dog owner. “It’s not even about the adoptable dogs. We like to say the Canine Jamboree is a celebration between dogs and their owners. It’s a celebration of dog lovers,” she said.
While the event is filled with great energy, it also reminds Central New Yorkers of the growing need for pet adoptions due to the overcrowding of shelters and rescues. Over the summer, there was a spike in pet abandonment, and some animals didn’t get a second chance due to limited space in local shelters.
Max, a dog at HumaneCNY, was given a second chance after being found tied to a picnic table in a local park. He was taken to HumaneCNY, where staff cared for him. Bob Herring, a kennel attendant at HumaneCNY, said the shelter has been at full capacity for months. “We have space for 20-22 dogs, and when one goes out, another one comes in,” he said.
Events like the Canine Jamboree provide hope by bringing the community together for a good cause. All proceeds from the event will go back to local rescues and shelters, helping them continue their vital work.
