2017 ANIMAL FEST
THE 24TH ANNUAL EL SOBRANTE STROLL
On Saturday, September 23, Christ the Lord Church
in Pinole will host its 2017 Animal Fest. Free to the public
and open from 11a.m. to 3p.m. This family-friendly event
will feature animals for adoption, live animal presentations, a
free petting zoo, food, music, and more.
Situated in the church’s parking lot and adjacent building,
a local animal shelter and select non-profit rescue groups
will display and discuss the care of live animals. These
will include dogs, cats, rabbits, chinchillas, domestic rats,
honeybees, and birds such as cockatiels, parrots, pigeons,
and chickens. California bats will also be represented. For
those interested in adopting a pet, dogs, cats, birds, rats, and
chinchillas will be available for adoption. All organizations
will have staff present to discuss animal traits, behavior, and
care, and to answer questions.
Visitors can also enjoy two 60-minute presentations held
in the church building. The first, from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.,
will feature The Naturalist a.k.a. Michael Marchiano, who
will show spiders and tarantulas. Later, between 1:30 and
2:30 pm., staff from Lick Your Eyeballs of Berkeley will
show small reptiles and amphibians.
In addition to animal fun and education, local high school
students will offer complimentary face painting to children
in the parking lot, and student artwork will be on display
in the church building. Gently used children’s books about
animals and animal care will be for sale at modest prices.
At lunchtime, attendees can check out the food vendor, as
well as sweets made by church members, while the Hilltop
Ukulele Lovers Academy provides musical entertainment.
Overall, Animal Fest aims to provide residents of the
surrounding communities with chances to learn more about
animals and to recognize that all animals deserve respect,
care, and protection. “Having animals in our lives benefits
both people and the animals,” says Sandy McNeel, co-chair
of Animal Fest and a former veterinarian. “Pets provide
unconditional love that makes a significant contribution to
the quality of life for everyone – but especially for children,
the elderly, and those who are isolated from the greater
community.”
For more Animal Fest information, visit
christthelordpinole.org or contact one of the event’s
co-chairs: Sandy McNeel at svmcneel@comcast.net or Lissa
Parker at lissarp@toast.net. All people are welcome, but
please leave pets at home.
Christ the Lord Church is located at 592A Tennent
Avenue, Pinole, CA 94564. Parking is available on
surrounding streets and in nearby city lots.
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