Don't Miss Aruba's First Doggie Carnival Parade by Cas Animal

Kiki Arndt, the tireless founder and single volunteer of Cas Animal, is collaborating with Aruba's official carnival administrators Stichting Arubaanse Carnaval, or SAC, to organize a 'Doggy Carnival Parade' to raise funds so she can continue her mission of saving Aruba’s stray and abused dogs and cats.

The parade is today, Tuesday, March 1, beginning at 5:00 PM. Those wishing to participate can register at the point of origin, the parking lot of the former Rio restaurant, on the corner of the Sasaki Highway and the access road to The Mill Resort. Registration begins at 3:30 PM and cost 25 Aruban tiorins, ($ 14.00) which includes eligibility to win some very nice prizes for owners and their Canines, in the Best Costume and Queen, Prince and Pancho contests.

The parade will proceed down the Irausquin Boulevard, past all the Palm Beach Resorts, and finish in the courtyard of the Palm Beach Plaza Mall, where the winners of the various contests will be announced. The panel of judges includes President of SAC, Tecla Kelly-Hernandez, one of the vets from Contreras Veterinary Clinic, and a local celebrity.

Certain criteria will earn entrants extra points in the final decision:

• Being old, somewhat disabled (missing a limb) or blind ,will not detract from the possibility of winning. Dogs must be otherwise healthy and obviously well cared for.
• Having a neutered pet will earn additional points.
• Costumes will be judged on standards used for carnival children’s parades. Elements of originality, quality of execution and creativity will add or detract points; a complete ensemble of coordinated headwear, footwear and body outfit will be taken into consideration.
• Masters and dogs who wear coordinated costumes will earn extra points.
• In no way can the costume cause the dog any distress. Make up is allowed as long as it does not do the dogs harm or cause discomfort. No jewels can be glued to their bodies, the use of mascara is discouraged, and their coats should not be painted.
• There will be extra points for roadpieces.
• Final judging will also take into consideration the themes of the costumes; owners arc encouraged to tell a story. The more elaborate the costume, the better the chance of winning.
• There are extra points to be earned for entering more than one dog; two males and a female can be entered as a team to win all titles of Queen, Prince & Pancho.
• Friends wishing to group their dogs together as a carnival group are encouraged, and will win extra points.
• Extra points will be awarded for dogs that can perform tricks.
• A grand prize, plus first and second runner-up prizes will be awarded.

Dressing your dog in a carnival costume is not required to join the canine march through Palm Beach; the event is to raise awareness about the humane treatment of animals on Aruba and to assist Kiki in caring for the more than 80 dogs and puppies she has rescued and keeps in her home, with an additional 38 cats at the house of a friend. There will be a refreshment station for dogs and masters along the route, which is exactly 2 km, and at the finish.
The Carnival Doggie Parade promises to be a wildly fun event, enjoyable for participants and onlookers. Souvenir tee shirts will be sold, and Pet Palace will maintain a booth of exclusive products for pampered pets.

Since coming to live on Aruba 14 years ago, Kiki has been retrieving dogs and cats off the streets and nursing them back to health while rehabilitating them psychologically from mistreatment. Her costs for care and feeding of the 80 dogs in her care arc astronomical, and all donations