Pets on Parade

Dec 13, 2021

PAWS Chicago and about 500,000 of our closest friends celebrated the love rescue animals bring to our lives with our first-ever float in the BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade on Saturday, November 20. 

The theme of the brightly lit float—One Light Per Pet—reminded parade-goers that rescue pets light up our lives and many still need saving. 

Outfitted with thousands of festive lights, the double-decker bus carried dozens of excited PAWS Chicago supporters on the open second deck, while nearly 100 PAWS Chicago supporters—plus their four-legged friend —walked along the bus  and waved at the crowd. 

 “It was an amazing, energizing experience. We were one big rolling celebration of what these innocent dogs and cats mean to our lives,” said PAWS Chicago Founder and Chair Paula Fasseas. “It was wonderful to engage with hundreds of thousands of animal lovers along the parade route. Community engagement is at the heart of building a No Kill Chicago in which every dog and cat can live a healthy, happy life. Every one of the parade-goers, and the millions more who watch it on TV throughout the country, heard our life-saving message and now have a chance to join the PAWS Chicago’s No Kill community.”