Pet parade: shelter hosts fashion show

POTSDAM — Sporting black fur, a bright green collar and a Hawaiian shirt with colorful flowers, Mr. Snuffleupagus made his way past the eyes of the admiring crowd that had assembled in the large white tent.

He was followed by a model known as Sylvia, a 2-year-old dilute calico cat dressed in a red ballerina tutu.

Several cats and dogs seeking adoption were dressed in various clothes Sunday for the inaugural pet fashion show at the Potsdam Humane Society animal shelter, 17 Madrid Ave.

"All these animals need a good home," said Kathy A. Brainard, office manager at the shelter.

Mr. Snuffleupagus, a 2-year-old long-haired cat, had a calm demeanor while being escorted around by a volunteer. On the other hand, Sylvia was looking to escape from the leash when she quickly dashed under a cloth-covered table.

Earlier, an energetic 2-year-old pit bull named Peanut Butter amazed the crowd. The dog was dressed up as a surfer, sporting a pair of orange sandals and a shirt. He had been wearing swim goggles before hitting the tent, but the strap snapped and the goggles were tossed aside, volunteers said.

Kristan E. Daniels, a seventh-grader at Parishville-Hopkinton Central School, Parishville, said her favorite dressed-up animal was Blacky, a 6-year-old chow mix who was wearing a plaid shirt and shorts.

Her younger brother had a definite preference for animals that bark.

"I liked the dogs because they are really cool and cute," said Joshua Daniels, a first-grader at Parishville-Hopkinton. "Cats are not that fun."

The fashion show was part of the animal shelter's support for the national Pet Adoptathon 2009, for which thousands of animal shelters across the country stayed open extra hours this weekend to find homes for dogs and cats. The Potsdam shelter had found homes for 11 dogs and cats.

To adopt an animal, call the Potsdam Humane Society at 265-3199 or visit the Web site www.potsdamhumanesociety.org.