[Volunteer Claudia]

Dog Costume Parade and Contest at Cont’l. Country Club Feb. 15

Animal lovers are invited to participate at Continental Country Club's Dog Costume Contest and Parade hosted by their resident Celtic Cousins Club on Saturday, February 15 at 1PM (rain date: Feb. 22). Entry is free but a donation to YOUR Humane Society SPCA, Sumter County's oldest and largest no-kill shelter, will be gratefully accepted. Monetary donations and pet supplies such as dry pet food, canned kitten food, collars, harnesses, leashes and clumping cat litter are currently the most needed items.

PetSense, the new pet supply retailer located at Lake Sumter Landing in The Villages, is generously donating prizes for the event. Categories for dogs will be judged according to size: small dogs up to 20lbs., medium dogs 20-40 lbs. and large dogs over 40 lbs. The winner of each category will then be eligible to win the grand prize of "Best in Costume." The festivities are open to all dogs from the public but they must be current on their Rabies vaccine, leashed, friendly and well-behaved.

Representatives of both YOUR Humane Society SPCA and PetSense will be at the event with giveaway items, important pet safety information, animal themed merchandise and some adoptable dogs who are ready to find their own loving homes. So come by and maybe you will find love at first sight or if YOUR dog will win as everyone's sweetheart!

Continental Country Club is located at 50 Continental Blvd, Hwy. 44 East, Wildwood, FL 34785. Visit continentalcountryclub.com or call 352-748-0100. PetSense is located at 1088 Canal Street, The Villages, FL 32162. Visit petsense.com or call 352-633-3683.

YOUR Humane Society SPCA is a 501(c)3 non-profit, no-kill organization helping animals in need throughout their community as Sumter County’s oldest and largest no-kill shelter. Donations directly help to cover the cost of saving, treating and caring for neglected, abused and abandoned animals. Learn more about them at hsspca.org, 352-793-9117, on Facebook or visit them at 994 CR 529A, in Lake Panasoffkee, FL. Office open: Mon.-Sat. 8am-4:00pm. Kennel Pet Viewing: Mon.-Sat. 9:00am-3:30pm. Visitors are always welcome!

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