Puppypalooza to Benefit Alaqua's Unconditional Love Program Sep 20

The first annual Puppypalooza to benefit Alaqua Animal Refuge's Unconditional Love Program will be held at Aaron Bessant Park in Panama City Beach on September 20 from 1-9pm. 
 
Puppypalooza will feature a DJ, inflatable bounce houses, retail, beer, wine, food booths, a huge raffle, a jail, a dunking booth, dog agility shows, Unconditional Love Program dog performances, face painting, and tons of games for children. Beginning at 6pm, Cadillac Willy will rock the park. Bring a blanket or chairs and relax with your family in the park.
 
Puppypalooza sponsors include the Panama City Beach Police Department, The City of Panama City Beach, Ink Trax, Ron John Surf Shop, WorkSource, The Geo Group, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Pineapple Willy’s, and Chaste. 
 
Festival goers will enjoy food, beverages, and shopping with unique local vendors throughout the evening. Food will be offered by Shore Dogs, Smokin’ Butts, Dovalina’s Wood-fired Pizza, Sweet Henrietta’s, Fishale Taphouse and Grill, and Captain’s Lady Café, and Sno Balls. Guests are invited to indulge in a little retail therapy with Pink Narcissus (Lily Pulitzer), The 30A Gear Truck, Cedar and Cypress Woodworks, Peaches to Beaches, Jam Berry Nails, Thirty-One, Scentsy, 30a Beach Girl, Ron John Surf Shop, Glas Designs, For Tails Only, Tastefully Simple, What’s Up Dog?, Shabby Wraps, Magnabilities, Beach Zinnia, Pure Romance, and more. And alcoholic beverages will be available at Pabst Blue Ribbon and CHASTE No. 850.
 
Since 2011, the Unconditional Love Program has taught inmates in local jails and prisons the skills needed to train and provide care to Alaqua’s canines. Two of three prisons in the program are located in Bay County, and the majority of the dogs from the program are pulled from Bay County Animal Control. Alaqua chooses dogs that may otherwise have a hard time getting adopted.
 
This program adds value to the inmates’ institutional lives and provides job skills as they prepare for re-entry into their communities. The inmates learn empathy, patience and respect while teaching the dogs basic behavorial skills. After graduating, canines are either adopted as family pets or continue training to become therapy dogs that Alaqua gives to individuals or families in need.
 
Alaqua Animal Refuge is a no-kill animal refuge located in Northwest Florida. The refuge has placed over 10,000 animals of all kinds since its inception in 2007, and has grown to become a recognized leader in animal welfare and animal cruelty prevention. The refuge is located about 20 minutes north of the Emerald Coast's sugary white beaches, which each year draw millions of visitors from around Florida and surrounding states.