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The Chester Fairgrounds Going to the Dogs

Fair season isn’t over in Chester. The Chester Dog Fair by Homeward Bound CT (HBCT) is returning this year and is bigger than it has been before, expanding to two days, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16 and 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chester Fairgrounds.

“Our goal is to help rescues and shelters through adoption events, by fundraising, and through the ‘spay it forward’ program,” said Sue Hotkowski, the president of HBCT.

The Chester Dog Fair helps HBCT to meet those goals, while also encouraging dog owners to find new ways to do more with their dogs. The first Chester Dog Fair took place in 2015; it was a small event tied to the Chester Sunday Market. In 2016, it was moved to the fairgrounds on a Saturday, and included the Doggie Fun Zone—an enclosed course that dogs can just run through—as well as demonstrations, doggy dance, and plenty of experts on hand to answer and pet-parent questions.

This year, the Chester Dog Fair will span a full weekend. In addition to local pet related services, attendees will be able to meet local rescue dogs, and some adoptable dogs—this is not, however, an adoption event. Dogs can also take trick and canine good citizenship tests. For humans, there will be plenty of food trucks, live music, and demonstrations, including a Frisbee demonstration. On Saturday at 1 p.m. there will also be a demonstration by Paws in the Classroom, an organization that goes to schools and teaches students how to interact safely and appropriately with dogs.

Saturday will also feature an adoptable dog parade, and on Sunday, a parade for all of the dogs who have been adopted through HBCT. There is also a silent auction, which will be open online through fair weekend for those who cannot attend in person.

“I’ve always been a dog lover,” said Hotkowski. “I started working with rescues and realized what a bad rep they get, and I have found over the years that is so not the fact. I am also so passionate about doing more with my dog; the Chester Dog Fair has so many opportunities in one place.”

The fair is also a place where those interested can learn more about adoption, and the process of adopting through a shelter or through HBCT. Potential adopters have to fill out an application, and then go through an extensive interview process where those doing the screening consider all factors of a person’s life that could affect the dog’s life. Should the applicant be approved, the next step is for the applicant and all members of the family to meet a range of dogs so that the right dog for the family is found—as well as the right family for the dog.

“One hundred percent of the family has to be on board. We don’t do gifts,” said Hotkowski. “We look for the first best fit. It’s not first-come-first-served.”

For those who can’t adopt at the moment, but want to find a way to help, Hotkowski recommends fostering if possible, or otherwise volunteering with rescues and shelters, and helping such organizations at their adoption events.

For those who do adopt, Hotkowski recommends patience.

“People need to understand that if you adopt at any time, it takes the dog two weeks, maybe longer, to decompress. You have to give them a new slate; it’s a completely different dog and can’t be compared to a dog you used to have. It needs time and patience, you need to earn that trust. That time is worth it in the end,” said Hotkowski.

The Chester Dog Fair will take place on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16 and 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $5 per family. Dogs are welcome, but non-retractable leashes are recommended; there will be leashes to borrow at the fairgrounds. Sept. 17 is Homeward Bound Adopter and Volunteer Appreciation Day—free admission will be granted to Homeward Bound Adopters and Volunteers. For those interested in potentially adopting a dog, HBCT’s next adoption event will be on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28 and 29 at the Guilford Fairgrounds; it is highly recommended to submit the application online ahead of time. More information on HBCT, the Chester Dog Fair, and upcoming adoption events can be found online at www.homewardboundct.org.