Looking For Someone To Love? They’re Looking, Too

Jade’s Jam returns with pet adoptions April 15

By Emily Weaver
Dunn Daily Record

BENSON – Jade’s Jam, the largest pet-friendly and pet-centric event in the area, returns to Benson’s Singing Grove April 15 and all paws are welcome.

This year’s Animal Awareness Day event will feature 65 vendors in tents or booths offering pet adoptions, pet supplies, treats, information on animal rescues, arts and crafts and more.

Kittens, puppies, dogs and cats — some rescued from bad situations — will be up for adoption at the event.

“Last year we had eight adoptions at Jade’s Jam,” said event organizer Corinne Coats. “I wish we do more this year. Hopefully, we can. … We want lots of animals adopted out.”

Animal rescue groups from North Carolina and Virginia will be at the event to showcase their animals, offer adoptions and tips and to bring awareness to animal welfare issues, animal cruelty issues and responsible pet ownership. Rescue groups include ROAR, Paw Project, the Johnston County Animal Protection League, Project Jade, Facilitate Rescue, Crisis Dogs NC, Margaret’s Saving Grace Bully Rescue, K9’s On Call Missing Pet Services, Chasing Tails Rescue, Pet Angel Fund out of Fayetteville and Carolina Animal Network.

“… One of the girls in the rescues that’s coming says, ‘Corinne, I’m so excited that we have this event because there’s not many events that people put on for rescues.’ And we all love our animals, but people just don’t put on shows like they used to for rescues,” Coats said. “Hopefully, we’re going to grow this event and each year it will be an even bigger adoption day for the animals.”

Coats is founder of Project Jade, a group dedicated to supporting rescues, protecting animals, saving the ones in danger and raising awareness of animal cruelty.

Jade’s Jam is now in its eighth year.

Treats will be available for humans and their four-legged friends at the event.

Four food trucks will offer a range of tastes from doughnuts and barbecue to seafood and ice cream. The food trucks will be provided by Little Halos, Belly Busting BBQ, O’ Taste & Sea, Sisters II Ice Cream and the Erwin Mills Coffee Company. A DJ will be in the Grove providing musical entertainment.

New this year will be Jade’s Jam’s first ever annual Cruz N Car event, featuring automobiles of all shapes, sizes, makes and models on the street behind the Grove stage.

All families and fur babies are welcome to attend, but all animals must be on a non-retractable leash, according to Coats.

“As long as they’re secured with their owners, they are welcome out there,” she said.

Retractable leashes are not permitted due to the easy range of those leashes when pet owners are preoccupied.

After months of planning, Coats is excited for the event.

“I’m so happy that it’s got to be eight years,” she said. “I’m just excited that it’s gotten to be this successful.”

Admission is free. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Benson’s Singing Grove, 400 E. Main St.

“We definitely want to bring awareness to ‘adopt, don’t shop’ and responsible pet ownership,” Coats said. “It takes more than a dog house in the backyard to be a good pet owner.”

Jade’s Jam is held to bring awareness and knowledge to the community about animal welfare issues, letting others know how they can help.