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‘Enjoying the day’: SPCA’s annual Fall Pet Extravaganza raises funds, brings community together

By LAURA TARANTELLA 3 min read

LOCKPORT -- Pets, families, vendors and animal lovers gathered Saturday at Riverview Park for the Clinton County SPCA's Fall Pet Extravaganza, an annual event that organizers say is about much more than fundraising.

The Oct. 3 event featured local vendors, food trucks and drink stands, family and pet photos, a mini petting zoo, a caricature artist, raffles and more. A $15 microchip clinic was also offered to pet owners from 12-2 p.m.

Following the event, Clinton County SPCA organizer Crissy thanked the many people who helped make the day possible, from vendors and donors to volunteers and the staff who worked behind the scenes.

"Another Fall Pet Extravaganza is in the books," Crissy wrote in a Facebook post following the event. "I truly can't thank everyone enough who helped make today possible."

She specifically thanked those who donated baskets, gift cards, supplies and other items, along with the event's vendors, food trucks, drink stands, photographer, DJ, petting zoo, caricature artist and staff.

But perhaps most importantly, she thanked the community members who came out to spend the day at the event.

"And a HUGE thank you to everyone who came out today," she wrote. "I loved seeing so many familiar faces, so many SPCA alumni and many new faces too!"

The event provided an opportunity for the SPCA to raise support for the animals in its care, but organizers said the community aspect remains one of the most meaningful parts of the annual gathering.

"Of course this event helps support our animals, but one of my favorite parts has always been simply bringing our community together," Crissy wrote. "Seeing families, kids, friends, local businesses and animal lovers all together enjoying the day is what makes all the work that goes into it worth it."

That sentiment was echoed by people who attended.

Many community residents commented that they were glad to attend with family and described seeing people visiting and enjoying themselves as a highlight of the day.

Another comment thanked the SPCA for bringing the community's animal lovers together, while reflecting on the organization's work caring for animals that have experienced difficult circumstances.

For the SPCA, the gathering was a reminder of the community that stands behind its work throughout the year.

"There are 365 days in a year, and it means so much to me that you chose to take one of them and spend it with us," Crissy wrote.

The Fall Pet Extravaganza also offered a chance for attendees to see the organization's work beyond the animals currently available for adoption. SPCA supporters described the importance of helping animals through rescue, rehabilitation and end-of-life care, emphasizing the compassion involved in providing animals with care when they need it most.

By the end of the day, the SPCA's message was one of gratitude.

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for showing up, supporting us and being part of another amazing Extravaganza," Crissy wrote.

For an organization that spends the rest of the year caring for animals in need, Saturday's event offered something equally important: a day for the people and pets of Clinton County to come together.

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