Dogs will be aplenty at the Singing Grove
The Benson Singing Grove will once again come alive with the sounds of pets, their people and plenty of stuff to keep them occupied. It all happens Saturday when Jade’s Jam returns.
The event is more than just vendors selling pet-related items, and there’s plenty of those, it’s also a chance to adopt a new pet, get your current pet vaccinated and groomed and fill everybody’s tummy, both furbaby and family.
The event is the creation of Corinne Coats and is named after her first pit bull, Jade, who lost her life to a careless driver after running from the Coats house.
“One afternoon she got of the yard and ran, which she had never done before,” Ms. Coats said. “Then she got hit by a driver with no insurance and no driver’s license and he didn’t stop to see if she was OK.”
Jade succumbed to the injuries she sustained a few hours later.
“I started Jade’s Jam as a tribute to her,” Ms. Coats said. “It’s for animals and their loving people.”
This year there will plenty of chances to adopt with 11 different rescues — including one for cats.
The process for adoption will remain as usual for the rescues involved, according to Ms. Coats.
“The process varies from rescue to rescue,” she said. “There might be a different check-in process for each one of them. Then there’s usually an application and reference check.”
While many folks might feel like the process is unnecessary, Ms. Coats says it’s to make sure both the family and the pet will be a good fit.
“They try to place the pets with a good family in a good home,” she said. “So they can enjoy a pet for a lifetime.”
Rescues involved in this year’s event include Furbaby Rescue of North Carolina, Rescue Rangers, Abandon Love, Farm Friends, Adopt 4 Love Pets, Black Dog Club, JCAPL, The Guardian Angel Foundation, It Takes A Village, Ohana Kitty Rescue and The Maggie Society.
Also returning will be the red carpet walk of pets up for adoption.
“All the adoptable animals will walk the carpet as the announcer tells a little bit about each dog and the good qualities they bring,” she said. “We’re trying to find all of the furbabies a good home, so we’re going to do the red carpet walk again this year.”
In addition, there will be plenty of other vendors, around 70 in all, for visitors to visit. They range from arts and crafts to face painting and sand art. There’s also several food trucks set to attend.
“We’ve got more food trucks this year with six coming and a mobile treat truck for dogs,” Ms. Coats said. “We’ve got at least 70 vendors, including the pet rescues. There will be something for everyone.”
In addition, there will be musical entertainment provided by local disc jockey Chad Scott.
“We had a live band last year with a DJ,” Ms. Coats said. “We have a lot of people who wanted to have the chance to line dance, so we’re going to have that this year.”
Admission to Jade’s Jam is free and all are welcome, including pets. The only restriction with pets is they must be on a leash and no retractable leashes are permitted for safety concerns.
“Still no retractable leashes, safety is our No. 1 concern for the dogs, the people and the children,” Ms. Coats said. “We want everybody to be safe. It’s a great family day and everybody can eat lunch with us, come shop, bring their animals and family.”
Another goal, aside from getting pets and perspective owners together, is education.
“We want to make sure people who adopt pets know they’re not just a yard ornament,” Ms. Coats. They’re part of the family.”
The event runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Benson Singing Grove. Story courtesy The Daily Record
