Alpacas welcome; dogs, cats and other critters, too

Last year, the Sayville Rotary Pet Parade welcomed alpacas Mauriso-Gusavo, Leonard Skynard and Julian, with parents Conrad and Luisa Lissade, owners of CnL’s Sienna Farm in Medford, an animal sanctuary.

These well-behaved critters strutted down Sayville’s Main Street, stealing the event.

This year’s Rotary Pet Parade takes place on Sept. 7. Registration starts at 8 a.m. at the Prince of Peace parking lot on Main Street and Handsome Avenue; the parade starts there at 9 a.m. and follows Main Street to Rotary Park on Candee Avenue, a quick walk.  Exotic birds, iguanas, pot-bellied pigs and other unusual animals have joined the march with cats and dogs and their parents.

So bring your pet honeys down, turtles included. And dress them up in costume, if you’re so inclined.

Rotary president Carolyn Leyboldt said there would be a prize for Best Costume. (There’s a runner-up, also.)  “But every pet gets a prize,” she said.

The event is free—a fun present from the Sayville Rotary Club to the community for the last 40 years. Last year, 100 parade attendees made their way down Main Street, but there have been up to 300 in years past. 

Last Chance Animal Rescue is attending with some worthy rescues, so if you’re interested in a sweet companion for your dog or cat, talk to their representatives. A basket of grooming items from Lori’s Pet Palace in Holtsville, a new grooming business, will be given out to the Best Costume Winner. Vanderbilt Fence is providing the fencing.