Last Saturday, Oct. 11, Palo Alto community members hit the streets to show off their animal companions in the city’s first-ever pet parade. Families and their pets strolled down California Avenue during the mid-morning, with the option to dress their pets in costume or bring a stuffed animal and compete in various contests. Booths were also available from organizations including Palo Alto Animal Control, Adobe Animal Hospital, Kaae Kanno Art and other pet-related groups.

Palo Alto’s Recreation Coordinator, Lance LeDrew, said the city was inspired to throw the parade because of the similar events in neighboring cities, as well as receiving several requests to establish a pet parade.

“We’re always looking for new ways to bring the community together,” LeDrew said. “And I thought, what a great way through pets.”

LeDrew personally announced the names of every pet participating in the parade as they walked and oversaw the parade’s contests. The pet contests included categories such as Best Costume, Cutest Pet, Best Pet Talent and Fan Favorite, voted on by fellow parade participants.

First-place winners received a gift basket from the Veterinary Emergency Group hospital, one of the booths present at the event. Dog beds were also provided to runners-up by the community-rooted organization Society of Heart’s Delight.

The Veterinary Emergency Group, a 24/7 emergency room and urgent care clinic for pets, was asked by the City of Palo Alto to join them in the parade as first aid and to spread information about their hospital. Medical Director Michael Hyder said he appreciated the opportunity for VEG to participate in spreading awareness about the care available in the area for pet owners.

“We’re still letting people know we’re in the community and that we’re here to help,” Hyder said. “We want to be really and truly involved in the community.”

Second-place winners of the Best Talent contest, Oliver — a long-haired miniature dachshund — and Cassidy — Oliver’s owner — heard about the pet parade through an online community group of dachshund lovers. The duo dressed up as Boo and Sully, respectively, for the parade. Cassidy said she enjoyed getting to meet others in the pet community and seeing everyone having fun.

“[The best part was] walking through the parade and letting [Oliver] go and say hi to people,” Cassidy said. “He loves the attention.”

LeDrew hopes to continue the parade as a new annual tradition that caters to the pet-owning community of Palo Alto. In the future, he said the parade could possibly include animal shelters at the event, so people could adopt a pet on-site.

“I want to accomplish a gathering of community and a celebration of community,” LeDrew said.