Pawsfest 2015

JOIN US FOR PAWSFEST 2015!

October 4, 2015  //  12:30-5:00 PM

Grace Episcopal Church 

9 Harrington Avenue, Westwood NJ

12:30-5:30 P.M.

We are so grateful for our Westwood Sponsors:

Lewis Drugs, Donna Moda, Westwood Pets, Music Merchant, Lepore's Italian Market

& Cece Chiropractic, Waldwick, NJ

50/50 Raffles sold at:

Lewis Drugs, Westwood Pets and Watch Out Jewlers

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PAWSFEST IS BACK OCTOBER 4, 2015 AT GRACE EPISCOPAL OF WESTWOOD!

A "pawfect"day of fun, food & frolic for the animals and their people!

October 4th, Peace4Paws, with generous support from local businesses and volunteers, organizes Pawsfest: an afternoon of blessings, family fun, and dog, cat and rabbit adoptions for animal lovers and their pets. This year the popular celebration is happening Sunday October 4, 2015 from 12:30pm to 5:00pm at Grace Episcopal Church, 9 Harrington Avenue, in Westwood, New Jersey.

Attendees are invited to bring their pets for a joyful community day. Activities for adults, kids, and pets include: 

An ecumenical Blessing of the Animals led by Reverend Barry M. Signorelli, Interim  Rector, Grace Episcopal Church.  The service begins at 2:30 pm, and blessings will continue  all afternoon with Father Barry.  There is also a special prayer for those who bring their pet’s ashes to the service. 

For those who'd like to welcome a new, four-legged family member, this is a large adoption event. There will be loving dogs from the local rescues Peace4Paws, Southern Paws, Almost Home Dog Rescue of New Jersey, Greyhound Angels Adoption, Long Island Bulldog Rescue and Bonnies Animal Rescue Kingdom “BARK”, cats from Caring About the Strays, and rabbits from All About Rabbits Rescue to foster or adopt. 

The featured adoptable dog is Katie. She is a 1.5 year old shepherd, hound mix. She loves jogging, hiking, playing with toys, gets along well with dogs her own size and with cats. 

The event also includes free samples for dogs and people, gourmet dog treats from ARC, a large supply of interesting affordable dog and cat accessories from Pets & People 2, a Kids Corner with Doreen Holstein, face painting with Brittany Carenza, a 50/50 cash raffle and a large table of raffle baskets , and delicious food from The Enchanted Palate. The Enchanted Palate will offer a variety of fresh baked goods, including glutenfree items, entrees like Turkey 3 Bean Autumn Chili, Butternut Squash Lasagna, Mac and Cheese for kids, and more.   

Other highlights include: Craft show regulars: “Stitches and Sketches”. Laurie Harden, professional pet sketcher will be available all day to draw a picture of your pet from a photo or right there while you enjoy the event. Beth Eden stitches a number of items; catnip filled mice and other cat toys, mittens from recycled sweaters--some with pet themes and designs, similar scarves and a number of other sewn items.

Live music by: Jay Nitzan, singer, Jason DeGeorge, guitar, Steven Lysak, piano, Joey Abdellatif, drums, and Don Johnson, bass.

New this year 6 Distinguished Student Service Awards for Volunteering excellence will be awarded- to six students age 9 to 18 for over 40 and up to 4000 hours each of outstanding volunteering work in fostering, caring and other action on behalf of animals in need.

Josephine Yao, 18 ( Woodcliff Lake), Kyle Spielman, 15, (Montvale), Daniella Roitman, 18, (Woodcliff Lake), Shulamit Dashevsky, 16, (Bergenfield), Matthew Hetherington, 14, (Westwood) and Angelica Cece, 9, (Ramsey) New Jersey will be presented the first Distinguished Student Service Awards for Volunteering Excellence at Pawsfest at 4pm. 

One of the most challenging ways to volunteer your heart and soul for the animals in need is to foster a homeless dog.  These caring students (with the support of their families) were involved directly in foster care and it’s many challenges, including the hardest of all saying goodbye when the dog is united with their forever family. 

Event sponsors: Lewis Drugs, Westwood Pets Unlimited, Donna Moda, Music Merchant, Lepore’s Italian Market of Westwood, N.J. and Cece Chiropratic of Waldwick, NJ. 

For more information about Pawsfest or any of the activities of peace4paws, or to become a volunteer, please visit contact us at www.peace4paws.org or call (201) 280-8696.

Join the community on Sunday, October 6 for a "pawfect" day!

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Our 6 Distinguished Student Service Awards For Volunteering Excellence 

They will receive their awards at 4 pm in the main parish hall right after the band performs. 

Here is our 6 Distinguished Students featured on News 12's "Viewer Of The Day" segment! 

Here is Peace4Paws on News 12's "Viewer Of The Day" highlighting our 6 Distinguished Students!

Posted by Peace4Paws on Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Our Peace4Paws' highlighted dog is Katie.  

Katie is a 1.5 hound shepherd mix currently in foster with 12 cats and lots of family. She thrives on love, exercise, toys and snuggles. She is house broken, crate trained and enjoys performing all the basic commands. She loves to please you and be with you. Learn more about our other adoptable dogs click here. 

PAWSFEST 2013 // OCTOBER 6, 2013

PAWSFEST IS BACK OCTOBER 6, 2013 AT GRACE EPISCOPAL OF WESTWOOD!

A "pawfect"day of fun, food & frolic for the animals and their people!

Each Fall, peace4paws, with generous support from local businesses, organizes Pawsfest: an afternoon of blessings, family fun, and adoptions for animal lovers and their pets. This year the popular celebration is happening Sunday October 6, 2012 from 12:30pm to 5:00pm at Grace Episcopal Church, 9 Harrington Avenue, in Westwood, New Jersey.

All proceeds from the 3rd Annual Pawsfest Event will benefit the efforts of peace4paws, the Northern New Jersey-based charitable organization that creates awareness and raises funds to support sanctuary and forever homes for animals that are retired from use in research and related fields. Admission tickets are available at the door, and the suggested donation is $5 per adult; admission for children is free.

Attendees are invited to bring their pets for a joyful community day. Activities for adults, kids, and pets include: 

An ecumenical Blessing of the Animals Mass with Father Rob Rhodes.  The service begins at 2:30 pm, and blessings are done all afternoon.  There is also a special prayer for those who bring their pet’s ashes to the service.

For those who'd like to welcome a new, four-legged family member, the event includes loving dogs (from The Last Resort) and two sweet beagle boys: Jed and Barney (from peace4paws and the Kindness Ranch), cats (from FOCAS), and rabbits (from Hug - a - Bunny Rabbit Rescue, Inc.) to foster or adopt. The Last Resort is a Northern New Jersey 501 (C) (3) foster based no-kill rescue that has saved over 1400 animals since it was founded in 2008. The featured adoptable dog is Patty, see picture, and please visit the website for more adoptable dogs,http://www.thelastresortrescue.com. FOCAS is a non-profit (501) (C) (3) corporation dedicated to the well-being of homeless animals, including those at the Bergen County Animal Shelter. They will provide beautiful adoptable cats, please see Willow on www.peace4paws.org or www.focas.us for more cats.  Hug-a-Bunny Rabbit Rescue, Inc. is a small nonprofit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes rabbits in need, http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/hugabunny.html.

Laurie Harden, professional pet sketcher will be available all day to draw a picture of your pet from a photo or right there while you enjoy the event.

Amanda Berk of Amanda's No Tricks Just Treats returns to offer the Canine Good Citizen test. Please email Amanda before the event at www.atreat4dogs.net to learn more and make an appointment for the test. The testing begins at 12:30pm and continues for the entire event, with a short break at 2:30pm.

The event also includes games for dogs and their people, free samples for dogs, gourmet dog treats, doggy accessories from Diva Dog, Doggy Deuce, Holistic Oils for pets and people from Holistic Remedies for Pets, personalized dog tag from Pet Tag-A-Long, a Kids Corner, face painting, a 50/50 raffle and other raffle prizes, a kissing booth, and delicious food from Your Way Café of Westwood.  Your Way will offer a variety of fresh baked goods, including glutenfree items, salads, entrees, and special treats for your dog including Pat’s “doggy” meatballs. 

Event sponsors: Westwood Pets Unlimited, Dr Buchoff of Holistic Pet Care P.A. (www.holisticpetcarenj.com), The Pet Lodge (www.thepetlodgeandsalon.com), Your Way Café Lewis Drugs (www.lewis-drugs.com), Watch Out Jewelers (www.thewatchmanwestwood.com), Juluka Yoga (www.julukayoga.com ) and Amanda Berk’s A treat 4 Dogs (www.atreat4dogs@yahoo.com). Dr. Buchoff will be on hand to talk about holistic veterinary and the benefits of raw food for pets.

Attendees can shop for peace4paws T-shirts, coffee and jewelry, Cat items from FOCAS, toys and seat belts from Westwood Pets, and a selection of dog items from The Last Resort. 

For more information about Pawsfest or any of the activities of peace4paws, or to become a volunteer, please visit contact us or call (201) 280-8696.

Join the community on Sunday, October 6  for a "pawfect" day!

Pawsfest 2012 & pix from Pawsfest 2011

In the photo above is Willow, one of the many sweet, adoptable pets at Pawsfest. She will attend the Blessing of the Animals along with other FOCAS kittens and cats and plenty of puppies and dogs from The Last Resort rescue group and rabbits from Hug - a - bunny Rescue. 

PAWSFEST IS BACK OCTOBER 7, 2012 AT GRACE EPISCOPAL OF WESTWOOD! 

A "pawfect"day of fun, food & frolic for the animals and their people!

Each Fall, peace4paws, with generous support from local businesses, organizes Pawsfest: an afternoon of blessings, family fun, and adoptions for animal lovers and their pets. This year the popular celebration is happeningSunday October 7, 2012 from 12:30pm to 5:00pm at Grace Episcopal Church, 9 Harrington Avenue, in Westwood, New Jersey.

All event proceeds benefit the efforts of peace4paws, the Northern New Jersey-based charitable organization that creates awareness and raises funds to support sanctuary for animals that are used in research and related fields. Admission tickets are available at the door, and the suggested donation is $5 per adult; admission for children is free.

Attendees are invited to bring their pets for a joyful community day. Activities for adults, kids, and pets include: 

An ecumenical Blessing of the Animals Mass with Father Rob Rhodes.  The service begins at 2:30 pm, and blessings are done all afternoon.

For those who'd like to welcome a new, four-legged family member, the event includes loving dogs (from The Last Resort), cats (from FOCAS), and rabbits (from Hug - a - Bunny Rabbit Rescue, Inc.) to foster or adopt. The Last Resort is a Northern New Jersey 501 (C) (3) foster based no-kill rescue that has saved over 1400 animals since it was founded in 2008. The featured adoptable dog is Patty, see picture, and please visit the website for more adoptable dogs, http://www.thelastresortrescue.com. FOCAS is a non-profit (501) (C) (3) corporation dedicated to the well-being of homeless animals, including those at the Bergen County Animal Shelter. They will provide beautiful adoptable cats, please see Willow on www.peace4paws.org or www.focas.us for more cats.  Hug-a-Bunny Rabbit Rescue, Inc. is a small nonprofit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes rabbits in need, http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/hugabunny.html.

Wendy Erickson is on site to take journalistic quality photos of pets and their families, like the one below. Visit her website for photos from last year by visiting our website www.peace4paws.orghttp://wendyerickson.com. .

Amanda Berk of Amanda's No Tricks Just Treats returns to offer the Canine Good Citizen test. Please email Amanda before the event at www.atreat4dogs.net to learn more and make an appointment for the test. The testing begins at 12:30pm and continues for the entire event, with a short break at 2:30pm.

The event also includes games for dogs and their people, free samples for dogs, gourmet dog treats, a Kids Corner, face painting, a 50/50 raffle and other raffle prizes, an Animal Communicator from Two Bear Herbs & Holistic Healthy, a kissing booth, and delicious food from Hanami, Jack’s Café, and Your Way Café of Westwood. Lunch and dinner items will also be prepared by Westwood master chef, Vicky Charron, and the event will offer homemade desserts and frozen yogurt from Twist Yogurt of Westwood.­­­­

Event sponsors: Amanda's No Tricks Just Treats (atreat4dogs.net), Doggy Deuce (www.doggydeuceml.com), For Excellence In Care (www.forexcellenceincare.com), Gina Colagero, Attorney at Law (www.njanimallaw.com), Pet Taxi (www.runmyerrandsnow.com), Lewis Drugs (www.lewis-drugs.com), Watch Out Jewelers (www.thewatchmanwestwood.com), and Westwood Pets ( www.yelp.com/biz/westwood-pets-westwood). Sponsors will be on hand to meet with attendees.

Attendees can shop for peace4paws T-shirts, coffee and jewelry, Cat items from FOCAS, toys and seat belts from Westwood Pets, and a selection of dog items from The Last Resort. 

For more information about Pawsfest or any of the activities of peace4paws, or to become a volunteer, please visit contact us or call (201) 280-8696.

Join the community on Sunday, October 7 for a "pawfect" day!

This is Willow in her custom made cart.  FOCAS, Friends of the County Animal Shelter, Inc are rehabilitating and caring for Willow until she finds her forever home.  Willow is feeling the love right now, but, only months ago Willow was found near-death, with paralyzed hind legs due to a bullet that had splintered her spine.  She received extensive hospitalization, neurological consultation, acupuncture, physical therapy and this cart with wheels which she continues to learn how to use.  Surgery to remove the bullet is not an option due to the damage sustained.  Miraculously, she is beginning to show voluntary movement of and able to stand for a short time on her hind legs!  Willow will be attending the Blessing of the Animals with her foster family. We are hoping that at Pawsfest she may find her special "forever home".  

Here are some photos taken by Westwood professional photographer Wendy Erickson.  If you would like to purchase any of these photos, 

please call Wendy at (201) 446-0048.  Proceeds will go to the charities. Thanks! 

The Blessing of the Animals will begin at 2:30 on Sunday, October 2nd at Grace Episcopal.

Reverend Robert Rhodes is blessing some attentive beagles.

One of the adorable adoptable bunnies from Hug-a-Bunny Rabbit Rescue, Inc. who will be at Pawsfest.  This handsome fella's name is Stone!  Look at his cute ears!

Please visit www.petfinder.com/shelters/hugabunny.html for more information about Stone or other sweet bunnies!

EVENT SUMMARY

Our Second Annual Event Was A Great Success Thanks To All Of You!

On October 7, 2012, at Grace Episcopal Church, 9 Harrington Avenue, Westwood, NJ the community came out in mass to enjoy this fun for the whole family animal event.  Most attended the ecumenical Blessing of the Animals Mass with Father Rob Rhodes along with their pet birds, rabbits, cats, dogs, and turtles.  In the large parish hall there were also many loving dogs (from The Last Resort), cats (from FOCAS), and rabbits (from Hug - a - Bunny Rabbit Rescue, Inc) available to foster or adopt. THREE CATS WERE ADOPTED!

Wendy Erickson was back again taking journalistic quality photos, like the one below on this page. Her new book of photos from Pawsfest 2012 will be out soon – we will keep you posted! Check out her website with photos from last year by clicking here.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors, Amanda's No Tricks Just Treats, Doggy Deuce, For Excellence In Care, Gina Colagero, Attorney at Law, Lewis Drugs, Watch Out Jewelers, and Westwood Pets as well as all our food donors.  Visit "Pawsfest 2012 Sponsors" for more info on our sponsors, the event, and to view pictures from the event.Because of the high attendance and the pre and post event donations, peace4paws was able to give financial support to 6 research animal sanctuaries and five local shelters who are open to helping animals that were used in research and related fields.  This year’s sanctuary charities include The Kindness Ranch, Save the Chimps, Mindy’s Memories, Jungle Friends, Amigos De Los Animales, The Beagle Freedom Project, and the three local charities who brought adoptable animals to our event, HugaBunny Rabbit Rescue, The Last Resort, and FOCAS as well as two other local charities that welcome research animals Mylestone Equine Rescue, and Pet’s Alive.