Despite a traffic-clogging shutdown on Interstate 5, the 7 th Annual Bow-Wows and Meows Pet Fair at Santa Clarita's Hart Park managed to attract approximately 6,000 attendees and adopted out more than 100 Los Angeles County shelter animals on October 14.

"This year was still an absolutely success, though we had a reduced number of people coming from the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles areas," said Yvonne Allbee, founder of the non-profit Bow-Wows & Meows, Inc. "It was a day where people made new friends, shared their pet stories, and walked around the fair with their pets. For some, it also meant adopting a new member into their family and saving a life in the process."

Fun Run Agility and Rocket Paws Flyball demonstrations kept audiences entertained, as did the annual Fun Dog Show, which attracted dozens of entries in categories ranging from Longest Ears to People & Pet Look-A-Like. Winners of the latter received $50 gift certificates donated by Pet Supply Santa Clarita.

Bow-Wows & Meows also featured more than 60 pet-oriented vendors promoting their products and services, as well as a raffle with 50-plus prizes, many donated by local businesses. Funds raised from the vendor spaces, raffle, Fun Dog show, and a collection box benefited Bow-Wows & Meows, Inc., which hosts the free pet fair every year.

Still, for Allbee and the many board members and volunteers who worked at the event, the best part of Bow-Wows comes from watching the shelter animals find a new life with a loving family.

"I heard a little girl whose family had just adopted a dog telling a friend that she couldn't believe they only charged $58 for her, that she thought the dog was worth at least $1,000," Allbee said.

Allbee also noted that many of the pets who did not get adopted from the fair are still available.

"If you had your eye on a certain animal, check with the shelter from which they came," Allbee encouraged. "Of course, there are always many beautiful dogs and cats available for adoption through the county animal shelters. People can check out http://animalcare.lacounty.gov/ for a list/pictures of animals waiting to find a home."

For more information on Bow-Wows & Meows, Inc., visit www.bowwowsandmeows.org or call (661) 297-5961.