Event postponed from last week due to rain
By Nicole M. Wells, Special Writer
CRANBURY — While the park is usually a favorite spot for most dogs, local tails might be wagging just a little bit harder Saturday, thanks to the work of some neighboring Lions.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., dogs of all breeds and pedigrees, and their owners, are invited to come out to Village Park for a day of saying hello to old friends and making some new ones, during the Cranbury Lions Club’s first "Paws in the Park" event.
"It’s just a fun thing to do for the community," event organizer Jon Goldstein said. "We think it’ll be a hoot."
According to Mr. Goldstein, owners will be able to dress their dogs up in costumes and take photos, as well as play flying disc and ball catch games with them.
There will be an agility course demonstration and a dog parade, and dogs will be able to meet and greet each other by size.
Owners will also have the opportunity to show off their dog’s tricks and obedience skills.
Additionally, Mr. Goldstein said there would be either a ball or egg walk, in which owners will have to convey the ball or egg across the field without dropping it, while walking their dogs.
He said the organizers hadn’t decided on which to use yet.
"Eggs are always more interesting," he said.
Because this is the first time the Lions have organized this event, Mr. Goldstein said they are unsure how many dogs to expect.
Regardless of the number, he said that this year’s "Paws in the Park" will be a learning experience for the Cranbury Lions Club, which hopes to make it an annual event.
In order to participate, dogs must reside in Cranbury and be currently licensed, as well as under owner control on a six-foot maximum length fixed leash (no retractable leashes). Owners must also clean up after their dogs.
Registration is required and begins at 9:30 a.m., according to the organization, with the $5 registration fee being used to cover the costs associated with the event and to benefit Lions charity projects.
During the registration process, owners will be asked to sign a form, indicating that they understand and will abide by the event’s rules, Mr. Goldstein said.
The reason for only allowing licensed dogs into the event is to make a statement about the importance of licensing, he said.
"We wanted to emphasize that people should really get their dogs licensed," he said.
According to the township Board of Health, the number of licensed dogs in Cranbury is down by about half this year.
The purpose of licensing dogs is to make sure that they have received their rabies vaccinations, the board members said.
The issue of licensing was thrust into the forefront earlier this year, with the rabies incident on South Main Street, in which a dog was euthanized because he was not vaccinated for rabies and was bitten by a rabies-positive raccoon in his family’s backyard.
To ensure that everything runs smoothly on Saturday, Lions Club members will be working the event and easily identifiable, Mr. Goldstein said.
"It’s fun for the town and it gives the Lions a presence," he said.