Are you afraid of the bark?
A spirited pack of costumed canines and their festively dressed owners stalked the streets of Windsor Terrace on Sunday for a local animal shelter’s Halloween block party, where one lucky pooch had an audience with the King, according to its owner.
“She got to meet Elvis there,” said Marine Parker Stella Panzarino, who brought her Shih Tzu mix, Meli, to the bash. “It was very exciting.”
Panzarino and her pup, which she dressed as a pumpkin, joined other mutts dressed as prisoners, superheroes, and hot dogs at Sean Casey Animal Rescue’s 10th-annual Howl-o-ween event, which drew crowds to E. Third Street between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue with the promise of raffles, a doggy kissing booth, a canine costume contest, and performances including sword swallowers and musical acts.
The event raises funds to support the no-kill shelter, the staff of which finds forever homes for more than 2,000 dogs, cats, and other critters every year.
And parties like the Halloween-themed soiree allow the facility to keep its doors open, according to a rep, who said locals’ generosity continues to amaze the animal-lovers.
“Sometimes it still surprises us how much people love us, and it’s because of what the pets they adopt mean to them,” said Kat Perino, the rescue’s director of community relations. “You can’t help but want to give back.”
