Petapalooza is back, where rescue animals take center stage

Join Salt Lake County Animal Services for a celebration of our furry family members at Petapalooza. This free, family-friendly event turns Wheeler Historic Farm into a haven for animal enthusiasts with pet adoptions, free microchips for licensed pets, food trucks and local pet-friendly vendors. 

The two-day event will host hundreds of adoptable dogs, cats and small animals from local rescues and shelters. Friday’s experience is mostly for pet adoption, while Saturday features a full range of activities. 

Guests can get a photo of their pet, talk with dozens of vendors dedicated to helping animals and visit with pet psychic Jennafer Martin for insight into their pet’s emotions and health. 

“This event helps clear out not only the shelter and rescues, but also allows more eyeballs on these pets, even if people are not looking for a pet,” said Ashley Bales, Salt Lake County Animal Services communications coordinator. “People show up and support what we do. They visit the vendors, too, because typically these vendors are in the local communities. They’re local businesses, small businesses and family businesses.”

Attendees can also donate to Salt Lake County Animal Services and learn about No-Kill Utah, an initiative led by Best Friends to end the killing of animals in Utah shelters. Learn more about animal services at saltlakecounty.gov/animal-services.

Petapalooza will be held at Wheeler Historic Farm (6351 S. 900 East) on Friday, Sept. 12 (3-7 p.m.) and Saturday, Sept. 13 (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.). The event is sponsored by Salt Lake County Animal Services and No-Kill Utah.

“Our photographer will also be there,” Bales said. “Once a month, she goes into the shelter and donates her time to do photos for all of our dogs. It’s proven that shelter dogs with a better photo have a higher adoption rate. So she volunteers her time, and she’s been doing it for like 10 years. It’s great to have her at the event to do photos for dogs in the community.”