It was an afternoon of fun right out of Zoolander, but with more flashes of canines than blue steel at Pixel Park for a first-of-its-kind fashion show put on by Parachutes for Pets.

The local charity, dedicated to keeping low-income Calgarians with their pets before they have to turn to the shelter system, drew 20 dogs, two cats, and more than 200 people to the fundraising and fun activity event.

“We are super happy to be down here at Pixel Park for our first ever Paws and Parkas fashion show. This is just a great way to get out into the community and celebrate some dogs,” said Lauren Fettig, Communication and Fundraising Lead for Parachutes for Pets.

“It was free registration today, and we saw some amazing outfits. We also brought our You Thrifty pet store down here as well for all the shopping needs.”

That thrifty animal pet store offered substantial discounts for visitors looking to pick up a few pet related items while attending the fashion show, all while raising money for Parachutes for Pets.

“We had about 10 categories today: best dressed overall, we had our You Wear category, we had our winter wear, as well as we had swimwear, formal wear, and best DIY costumes,” said Fettig.

“The formal wear costumes were a huge hit, all the bow ties and tuxedos came out. And the two cats that we had today were amazing. We wouldn’t say no to any animal coming down those cats did an amazing job.”

Niko Sprenger and her dog Anne took home the top prize in the formal wear category for her fashionable duo combination of French inspired blue and then red berets, with matching blue and leopard print jackets—complete with a Coach dog collar.

Sprenger said that she wanted to participate in the event because of the good work that Parachutes for Pets does for Calgarians.

“Parachutes for pets are programs really mean a lot, and really make a difference helping people stay with their animals, especially with the cost of living, and how hard it is to find rentals, and everything,” she said.

“They do such amazing work. I just really love them.”

Working to keep low-income Calgarians with their pets

Fettig said that overall, the organization works to break down those barriers for low-income Calgarians.

“Our goal is to keep people with their pets, and to maybe remove some of those barriers if you’re in financial need through a pet food bank, we assist in vet care spay and neuters, as well as a whole bunch of education programs,” she said.

The event was the latest in a number of community events held at Pixel Park aimed at improving the lives of Calgarians.

Emma Stevens, Director of Communications and External Relations for the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, said that working with organizations like Parachutes for Pets was a key way of creating community engagement in the Culture and Entertainment District.

“The vision for Pixel Park is to activate the culture and entertainment district with a range of programming and placemaking initiatives,” she said.

“We had more than 200 people and their dogs out today enjoying this beautiful day, and supporting an important local cause that creates a compassionate and inclusive community for animals. So we’re just so pleased that we’re able to put together with partners, these kinds of events that bring vibrancy to the community and give back to the community.”

She said that with the success of the first Paws and Parkas event, CMLC would be looking to partner with Parachutes for Pets for another pet fashion show.

“We absolutely look forward to working with Parachutes for Pets again in the future. This is our first season in Pixel Park, and so we’re really getting a handle on what works well. What brings people out, and I think we’re looking to learn from all of these events that we put on this season, to see how we can build on them and replicate them again in future,” Stevens said.

For more information on Parachutes for Pets, see www.parachutesforpets.com.