PetFest Old Town Spring

All About PetFest

PetFest was started by Different Strokes Pet Boutique in 2001 as our way to give back to the pet community for their loyalty to our business. The emphasis was on adoptions, education and fundraising. We started in the parking lot of Creekside Plaza in Old Town Spring with only about 10-20 rescue groups, a few vendors and with one person organizing it. About 5 years ago, Old Town Spring approached us about making it a town event. We took over the town and we have grown immensely over the years. In 2010, we had 70+ rescue groups, 50+ vendors, and gave back almost $13,000 to 15 lucky groups. We still emphasize adoptions, education and fundraising but in a much grander scale with approximately 10 amazing committee members helping to put on the event voted as the "Best Pet Event" in the Houston area in a poll by Houston PetTalk Magazine.

Some of the original rescues that have attended PetFest from the early years are Houston Area Ferret Association, Houston Collie Rescue, Houston Sheltie Sanctuary, Lone Star Boxer Rescue, Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of Houston, and SAFE House Rescue and Adoption.

The dedicated committee members that have helped produce PetFest as a town event from the beginning include Linda Berry, Melissa Maertens, Linda Howerton, Jeannie Lory, Karen Murray, Shonna Endicott and Nathalie Bland. Wunsche Bros Cafe has been a gold level sponsor every year since it became a town event.

Over the past 10 years, we estimate that we have helped over 800 animals find furever homes and given back at least $40,000 to the rescue groups to help the animals in their care. These figures dont include the number of foster homes found, the money each group raises from their own fundraising at the event and the awareness of the public about programs offered for the animal community and the plights of homeless pets. This year, we have over 1,800 fans on facebook and we provide information via facebook about specific animals or groups needing help, awareness about things happening in the rescue world (good or bad), etc.

In addition to the monetary prizes this year, 10,000 pounds of dog food will be awarded to rescue groups through the rescue drawing by Dog Food Goodwill Ambassador, Ricco Suave', once on death row himself. He now helps others that are waiting for their Forever Home!

PetFest is not only a weekend event in October. We work all year round to better the lives of the homeless pets in the Houston area.

May the homeless pets continue to benefit from all the PetFest Supporters.