By Gabrielle Terrett

The Vicksburg Post

Patterson, the three-legged dog, is inviting everyone with pups to the “Strut your Mutt” Halloween costume contest at Pet Sense this Saturday.

The event, organized by PAWS Rescue, is a fundraiser for the organization, as well as a means for dog owners to show off their dogs.

“Well, we do need money for the animals that are in our care, but the event will also give some pet owners a chance to bond with their pets,” said Leigh Conerly, president of PAWS Rescue, an animal help organization.

Patterson is a direct result from the group. After being taken into the vet the group received a call that would change his life for the better.

“When we got a call about him, his leg was injured and he was at the vet when they told us they had to amputate it,” said Conerly.

“It was an old injury and it wasn’t going to get any better so we used the organizations funds to help him.”

Though Patterson isn’t the only dog that has been assisted by the group, he will be one of the only dogs that has gone through the PAWS Rescue organization in attendance at the event.

“We try to keep the dogs from our organization out of the events so that we can benefit dogs that really need the help in the community,” said Conerly.

“Though sometimes they do end up coming back with the current owners, those that are still with us we try to keep them away, unless they’re adopted, we won’t be bringing any rescues.”

Otherwise, the event is open to all other types of dogs and registration will be until 1:30 p.m. Saturday at PetSense, 3405 Pemberton Square Blvd. The Registration fee is $5 per pup and the event will start at 1 p.m. and end at 3 p.m.

The event is not new to the organization said Conerly.

“We’ve done this event in the past but we stopped, and now we’re trying to bring it back,” said Conerly.

“We’ve never done it at PetSense so we’re pretty excited.”

This year, the dog with the best costume overall will be awarded with a basket full of goodies and the judges aren’t looking for anything specific said Conerly.

“There will be a few judges and there aren’t any divisions in the contest. The one that wins will be the best there overall,” said Conerly.

“We have a goodie basket with some treats in there for the best overall and a few other gift baskets as well.”

Conerly said the organization hopes that with this event it can further help the animals in the community with any needs.

There will be cats up for adoption inside of PetSense and there will be an opportunity to donate to the PAWS Rescue organization.

“This is our first time starting this event again and I just hope that there are a lot of loving dog owners and dogs that come out,” said Conerly.