Bonnie Morrison with TriState CART and her dog Sherman.
Can your dog catch a Frisbee, dance, smile, bark on cue, or look stylish wearing a costume? Bring your best four-legged friend to the first ever Strut Your Mutt event on Sunday, Sept. 25 in New Richmond. The Strut runs from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. along Front Street.

“This is going to be a fun day for pets and children,” said organizer Bonnie Morrison with Tri State CART, a non-profit disaster response team that focuses on the care of animals during times of local disaster. “The goal of the event is to raise money to enable CART to purchase a mobile disaster vehicle to transport animals in crisis.”

There will be a pet parade at 2 p.m., followed by a parade of children wearing fuzzy animal slippers. Morrison said they have many donated prizes in numerous categories for best costume, craziest slippers, and more.

“We will have a pet blessing after the parade, and there will be agility demonstrations and competitions, an opportunity to meet with a pet psychic, check out a dog “PAW” wash, and visit with numerous rescue groups and some dogs and cats needing a new home,” she said.

The event will include a demonstration by Clermont County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Adam Bailey and his canine partner Mox.

“We will also have an educational presentation on bully breeds,” said Morrison. “There will be opportunities to get inexpensive micro-chipping of your animals and to have your children entertained by magicians and get their faces painted!” Morrison encourages those attending the Strut Your Mutt event to bring an item to donate to the pet food pantry. All dogs attending must be on leashes; retractable leashes are not permitted. “We are hoping that 500 people and their pets attend this first-ever event,” she said.

For more information about Strut Your Mutt, including an event schedule, and details on the virtual Strut Your Mutt Walk, visit the website www.TriStateCART.com or call (513) 702-8373.