Virginia and Family Pet Festival supports charity working to keep animals out of shelters

Buster Wayne has a growth that needs to be removed.

He is a dog that belongs to a 17-year-old girl from Charlottesville who recently lost both of her parents who were killed in a car crash. Now in the care of a state social worker, Buster Wayne is all the 17-year-old girl has left.

Social services contacted the Saint Seton’s Orphaned Animals charity which works with Loving Touch Animal Hosptial in Route 1 in Stafford County. Buster Wayne was brought there three weeks ago, where veterinarians found the dog suffering from a tick-bourne disease.

The dog was placed on medication until it’s well enough to have the growth removed from its backside. When ready, veterinarians at Loving Touch will remove the growth.

“The people we work with — the disabled, low-income, wounded warriors — they rely on their pet for companionship. The cat or the dog is like their child… when its sick, they reach out to us,” said Jeanette Allard, executive director of Saint Seton’s Orphaned Animals.

Allard said her charity goes beyond providing low-cost vet care. Her organization wants to end the practice of people dropping off animals at a kill shelter because they can no longer care for them.

“We call it economic euthanasia,” said Allard.

Saint Seton, like all other organizations, relies on donations to keep going. The gifts help continue the work of the animal hospital and a “Meals on Wheels 4 Petz” that distributes pet food to neighbors in need.

The charity will hold the 2016 Virginia and Family Pet Festival in support of animals in need of veterinary care. The festival will feature bands, beer, and wine gardens, food, zip line, rock wall, slides, petting zoo, camel rides. Animal welfare organizations will bring dogs and cats available for adoption. The festival also features dog games, contests, and exhibitions, said Allard.

The festival will be held at the Stafford Regional Airport, located at 75 Aviation Way in Stafford County on Saturday, June 4 from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is $5 per car. Wristbands for rides are $10 per person.