The Pike Animal Shelter will host its Fourth Annual FurFest at the Troy Recreation Center from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday and all animal lovers are invited.

Fur Fest is a fundraiser for the Pike Animal Shelter and funds will be used to build a state-of-the-art animal shelter on the organization’s property on the Henderson Highway.

Kristin Strickland, Shelter public relations coordinator, said a day of fun and frolic has been planned for all people of all ages and all furry pets of all kinds.

In center ring will be the adoptable dogs from the Troy Animal Shelter.

“Hopefully, we will be able to find forever homes for these very adoptable dogs,” Strickland said. “They will make good companion pets and family friends.”

FurFest will feature a pet costume contest that will be a fun spectator sport.

“We encourage all pet owners to dress up their pets and enter them in the contest,” Strickland said. “At this time of year, Halloween costume would be a lot of fun. We’ll also have Bone Mountain again and the dogs really enjoy that. Pike Animal Hospital will sponsor a dog wash and also clip nails if needed. We welcome pets to FurFest but they must be on a leash or some other method of control and have proof of vaccination.”

Students in grades K-3 around the county are participating in a coloring contest and the artwork will be on display along with the winning entries.

“Details Photo and Design will be there and pet owners can set up appointments to have their pets photographed at special FurFest prices,” Strickland said.

For the kids, there will be an inflatable slide, face painting and other activities including a demonstration by the Troy University Soccer Team that will also serve as judges for the contests.

Entertainment will be almost non-stop.

The Praise Puppets from First Baptist Church of Troy will introduce that entertainment lineup that includes the Park Band, Johnny Barron Band and J. Harvey Johnson who are back by popular demand.

New entertainers will be Sid Phelps, acoustic country; Art Gaudet acoustic rock; and Rylee Andres, acoustic country.

“The entertainment will also feature local groups that are favorite performers,” Strickland said.

“The Alabama Jubilee Chorus and Cloggers from the Colley Senior Complex, SheBANG! and Troy School of Dance will entertain the crowd.”

There will be no need to leave FurFest for lunch. Barbecue sandwiches, snacks and homemade baked goods will be for sale.

FurFest t-shirts are on sale now and may be purchased online at pikeanimals.org.

“FurFest is a fun and entertaining family event and we invite everyone to join us as we raise money to build a much-needed animal shelter,” Strickland said.

Advance admission tickets are $8 for adults and $3 for children under 12 and are available at Troy Bank & Trust main branch, Sears, Troy Recreation Center and Pike Animal Hospital.

Tickets at the gate will be $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Family packages are available with one free admission child’s ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket and are available with advance and gate tickets.