Without human children, pets can quickly become their owners' babies.
“They're little family members of ours,” Jordan and Crystal Lenox said about their two dogs. “We love doing everything we can with our pups and getting them to socialize and see all kinds of breeds and other people who are just as wild about their animals as we are.”
Fur babies big and small covered every corner of Bergfeld Park during Pets Fur People's annual Pets in the Park fundraiser on Oct. 7. Pets and their owners met new friends, explored vendor tables and enjoyed pet-friendly games and activities.
Executive director Gayle Helms said that Pets in the Park is an annual fundraiser that brings awareness to Pets Fur People. The organization is a selective admission, no-kill animal sanctuary with a mission to provide temporary shelter for animals until they find their forever home.
“We are committed to reduce and ultimately eliminate euthanasia as an acceptable method of population control for unwanted dogs and cats,” according to a statement on its website. “We promote the positive results of spay/neuter programs to reduce dog and cat overpopulation and pride ourselves in teaching responsible pet guardianship.”
Owners sharing their fur babies with other animal lovers is one of the most significant aspects of the event, Crystal said. It's an opportunity to meet like-minded people and support a good cause.
Animals give emotional and physical support to their owners by helping them cope with life's stresses. Others act as service animals trained to work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.
“Whenever you pet an animal, it helps to bring your cortisol levels down and gets you to relax a little bit better,” said Jordan, a doctor of chiropractic. “Animals just have a way of taking you out of your worries, concerns and pains and just having you focus on them and the love that they provide.”
Pet's can also be a trusted confidante.
“I think they can just be a real emotional support for people whether you want to call it that or not,” Helms said. “People need some companionship, but it can't always be with people.”
Pets Fur People furthers that belief by partnering with Meals on Wheels East Texas. Year-round, the Meals Fur Pets program provides pet food for homebound scenarios who can't afford it.
There are about 260 clients over six counties who utilize the program, Helms said.
“We try to provide that as well so they can keep those pets at home for their companionship and don't have to worry about either feeding themselves or their pets,” she said.
Since it began in 1968, many people who've moved to Tyler aren't aware of the non-profit organization. Helms said that hosting community events gives people the information they need and gives them a chance to socialize and show off their pets.
“We operate on donations and fundraisers. So we look forward to this all year long to see God's creatures from the tiny, tiny ones to the monstrous dogs and everything in between,” she said.
Tyler is a pet-friendly city, and anyone could see that by the sheer attendance of the event. People can be inhumane and self-centered regarding animals; shelters like Pets Fur People try to bridge that gap between humans and animals.
“We've been married for almost a year. We don't have little ones of our own. So our fur babies are our little ones,” Crystal said. “It's really fun to get involved in the community and do these events. It brings everybody together. Everybody loves animals.”
