It couldn't have been more perfect. Sunny with a slight breeze, on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009,  hundreds of dogs joined thousands of people on the fields of Quinsigamond Community College for one of our highest attended festivals yet. Our Adoptable Pet Parade winners, sponsored by PetSmart, were Pug Rescue of New England and Forever Home Rescue, both receiving $500 from Pet Rock Fest. Sweetpea for Rutland Animals and New Beginnings Dog Rescue both won $500 from Pet Rock Fest in the random lottery, where two participating nonprofits are picked from the basket. The 50/50 raffle winner was John Polakowski.

Sweetpea's Mission: "Dedicated to the care and welare of homeless pets in the Rutland area and beyond. We will never put an animal down unless it may be incurably ill and only then as an absolute last option." Call 508-886-6191

New Beginning's Mission: "We take dogs in from pounds and shelters that are harder to place and work with them in our foster homes. All dogs are spayed/neutered, fully vetted and microchipped before adopted."   

Pet Rock Fest hero awards were given to Deborah Howard of the Companion Animal Protection Society and Team 5 Investigates.

Special thanks to the Bay City Rollers, Jon Short, Fergus, New Pilot and the Matt Schwachman Band for performing.