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The LaGrange Youth Council is teaming up with the LaGrange Animal Shelter to host a puppy parade on Saturday, March 21.

Currently, the youth council is searching for volunteers who want to help make the event go smoothly. 

The city of LaGrange Communications Manager Katie Mercer Van Schoor said the idea of the puppy parade come about when the youth council decided it wanted to do something to help the animal shelter. However, the council didn’t want it to be something where people had to donate money because the council wanted to engage as many people as possible to be in the parade.

As a result, Van Schoor said for anyone to participate in the pet parade, all they need to do is donate a can of dog or cat food to the animal shelter.

Although the event is labeled as a puppy parade, all animals are welcome to get involved. Registering is also easy. Van Schoor said all participants need to do is show up at 9 a.m. at Southbend Park on March 21 with the pet food.

Costumes are also encouraged on the day of the event, even though they are not required to participate.

“They don’t have to dress up. But if you do, we’re going to give out a prize to the best and call it best in show,” Van Schoor said.

She said participants could bring wagons with animals riding along. The only thing the organizers will ask is that everybody signs a waiver to be sure the animal had a rabies shot.

“We just want to make sure everybody is safe,” Van Schoor said.

The youth council is also working with Petsense of LaGrange, who will have someone dressed as a dog to interact with participants, as well as a few guest emcees during the parade.

At 9:30 a.m., there will be a blessing of the pets by United Methodist Church Senior Associate Minister Ben Wills.

At 10 a.m., the parade will start from the dog park at South Bend Park.

After the parade, the animal shelter will have a post set up to microchip 100 animals if their owners choose at no cost.

Animals will also be available for adoption on the day of the parade.

For more information, contact Van Schoor at (706) 883-2055 or email kvanschoor@lagrangega.org.