Paws for a Cause

By Cashmere Morley

at the northwest corner of Pearl Street and Chicago Boulevard by the First Presbyterian Church, a parade of paws will greet passersby. Last year, Tecumseh’s annual Pet Parade rolled out the red carpet for its partakers, a theme that drew many dogs (and cats, miniature cows, and chickens) to pose for pictures at a celebrity-esque “red carpet” event. This year, the parade is taking Toto to the Emerald City with the procession’s theme being the Wizard of Pawz. Dress up your pet in coordination with the theme to win all kinds of prizes from local businesses, as well as beloved pet brand names such as Chewy and BarkBox. Paraders walk for fun, for community, and for a cause. This year’s proceeds go to House of Hounds, a Clinton-based, non-profit volunteer rescue center led by Nicole Beach. The rescue helps both dogs and cats and will have adoptions available at the parade.

“The thing people need to know about the Pet Parade is how much community support it has,” said Michelle Crandall, the organizer, and spearhead of the event. “Every business I approached about helping with one aspect or another [of the parade] was 100% on board immediately, and that was very heartwarming.”

The parade celebrates its 19th year this July. Initially drawn to the event for its celebration of pets and the local community, Crandall’s passion and interest in the parade soon led her to take the helm of the entire event in 2022.

“After starting my own pet photography business, I was inspired by the local pet community and was trying to think of ways that I could help better that community, whether they were a photo client or not. I was reminded of the 2020 Pet Parade; it was so, so hot, and the community had a lot of valid concerns after that event, like the hot asphalt harming the pets that were participating. I thought, well, how about I try to figure out a way to make the parade safer for the pets? I went into the city in 2021 in the winter, and I just asked if I could become involved, and I ended up in charge [of the parade] 20 minutes later.”

Since then, Crandall has leaned on the community to help make Pet Parade the event that it has become. “Tristan Lee, the owner of Red Mill Pet Supply, has been instrumental in helping to coordinate this event with me since I took over. He’s helped connect me to some of the vendors that they use. Megan Donovan from B&B Candle Company was integral in setting up the parade’s goodie bags. It really is such a community event.”

Over 50 pets and owners came to support the parade last year, and Crandall hopes that number only grows exponentially in the coming years. The parade’s cost of entry is any dollar amount donated to House of Hounds. Registration begins at 9am and the parade begins at 10am. n

Pets in Focus 734-335-0720

 Petsinfocusphoto.com michelle@petsinfocusphoto.com