PETS ON Parade

STORY

Thanks to the wonders of the Internet—and, of course, the allknowing, all-seeing entity that is Google— you can find out pretty much anything these days with the few strokes of a key... including just how much money people spend each year on their pets. It’s a staggering number—into the billions— and one that shows how well cared for pets are. What it doesn’t show is the pets who fall through the cracks, the ones that are mistreated, abused, neglected or abandoned.

“For these animals, shelters become a lifeline; but only to the extent that they are given food, housing, medical attention and a chance to be rehomed. It is the no-kill shelters that are their true saving grace, as these are the organizations that rescue them from the threat of being destroyed if they are “unadoptable” for whatever reason. As Fairhope’s only no-kill shelter and a non-profit, The Haven depends on funding from private and corporate donations, fundraisers and grants to continue its work with animals in need throughout the community of Fairhope— and events like the Mystic Mutts of Revelry parade are a great source of raising funds as well as awareness.

Created in 2004, MMOR began specifically as a way to generate much-needed awareness about pet overpopulation and raise funds to support The Haven’s lifesaving programs. “No-kill shelters make an impact in the community by providing the community with free or low-cost resources for everything from veterinary medical care to pet training,” explains Shannon Hesse, a volunteer at The Haven who also chairs the MMOR parade. “No-kill shelters are important because we save hundreds of homeless pets and have more flexibility when it comes to addressing challenges like the pandemic. For example, when many government-operated animal shelters were closing, The Haven pivoted to curbside service so we could continue helping the people and homeless pets in our community.”

The first pet-walking parade in Baldwin County, MMOR also holds the highest record for the number of walking parade participants—including both pets and their humans—in the entire region. “It grows every year,” Hesse notes of the event, which happens each year in early February. “We have hundreds of participants, usually three to four hundred, and thousands of people on the route. It has gotten so big that our route is fully barricaded for the safety of the participants and spectators during the event.” In fact, the MMOR parade attracts people from across the world, some of whom have made it a tradition to participate each year, and others who simply enjoy watching. With a theme of “Top Dog,” 2023 MMOR participants of both the human and four-legged kind were encouraged to dress in costumes. As the parade wound its way through the streets of Fairhope, the Mardi Gras-like parade made things even more fun and festive with the throwing of beads and the flamboyancy of the costumes that everyone wore.

Over the past 20 years of holding the parade, the MMOR has raised over $250,000 to benefit The Haven. “It increases every year, and our record has been about $32,000,” says Hesse. “It was our goal to break that record this year for 2023.”

“The Haven is moved by the generosity of MMOR volunteers, sponsors and the City of Fairhope for making this annual family-fun event possible,” says Michael Graham, Executive Director of The Haven. “We help between 400 and 600 animals annually, and over 11,000 homeless pets have found second chances since The Haven’s inception in 2000. That work depends on the kindness of the community, and MMOR is an incredible source of support.”

The Haven was founded by local veterinarian, Dr. Teresa Marshall, in the early ’90s. At the time, she had been receiving homeless and injured pets from local animal control as well as from her clients, and she used her medical skills to help the animals heal and find second chances. “Agencies already existed in the community to help healthy homeless pets, but Dr. Marshall saw the shelter animal population with treatable illnesses being overlooked, and she stepped in to help,” says Graham.

In 2000, The Haven became an official 501(c)3 nonprofit. Now, it has a public-private partnership with the City of Fairhope to provide animal care and manage shelter operations on Fairhope’s behalf. More than 200 volunteers give their time and talent to help The Haven realize its mission of a future where all pets have homes—and part of that future relies on events like the Mystic Mutts of Revery parade.

For more information on MMOR, visit mysticmutts.org. To learn more about The Haven, visit havenforanimals.org.

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