PAWCHELLA is back—and better than ever! This two-day, feel-good festival celebrates the joy of animals, community, and second chances. Hosted at our newly expanded MaryAnn Wright Animal Adoption & Education Center, PAWCHELLA raises critical funds to help us care for the nearly 2,500 animals who come through our doors each year.
This year’s event marks a new era for Friends for Animals—with more activities, more heart, and a chance to explore our fully finished facility. Whether you’re joining the Pack Walk, vibing to live music, or getting groovy with games, your participation helps rescue, heal, and rehome animals who need us most.
Your ticket supports the event. Your fundraising saves lives. So grab your leash, your love beads, and your fundraising spirit—and join us for a festive weekend!
Cheer on athletic pups as they launch into a massive pool, showcasing their skills in this thrilling distance-jumping competition. Enjoy a dock diving exhibition with UDD! This event is a fundraiser for Friends For Animals. Einstein Dock Diving and Odin’s Dock bring you full weekend of Long Jump Event Finals with prizes and games! The dock event is a benefit for Odin’s Heart Foundation.
Watch dogs navigate jumps, tunnels, and obstacles in this fast-paced challenge that shows off their focus, speed, and agility. Zenos Dog Run provides a unique, mobile dog entertainment experience for pet events, offering lure coursing, playground, agility, photography, and more. Their primary objective is to provide a fun, experience for family pets, allowing owners to observe their dogs engaging in natural, enjoyable activities. Additionally, we offer professional, action photography services, capturing memorable moments of your pets.
Flyball is an exciting, high-speed dog sport where 2 teams of 4 dogs drag race against each other, jumping over hurdles, triggering a spring-loaded box to release a tennis ball, then racing back with a ball to their handler. The next dog in line then races down and back; the first team with all 4 dogs down and back with no mistakes, wins the race. It’s a fun, fast-paced competition that tests both a dog’s agility and speed, as well as teamwork and timing!
Collect stamps at our four carnival games and “Find Fido” scavenger hunt stops to be entered for a chance to win prizes!
Join us for a special Sunday morning beginner’s yoga class in the park with Lily Trombley of Plymouth Yoga Room. Lily enrolled in the RYT 200 teacher training program with Brent & Sheri at the Plymouth Yoga Room. Teaching has taught her so much and yoga has personally given her so much. She is honored to share that with others and give back to the community.
Join us with your pack to raise awareness and fundraise!
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
9 – 10 a.m.
Line-up starts at 8:45 a.m. at the entrance of the adoption center.Email with additional details will be sent to participants.
10 a.m.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
$70 Per Team
50% of proceeds go back to Friends for Animals!
11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
2 – 3 p.m.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Detroit-area party band Sunglasses After Dark, featuring Curt Vanden Bosch, Darryl Bartlett, Chris Colovas, and Nick Lazorishchak!
HotRod D-Luxx is a party band from Southeast Michigan. They play classic rock, blues and rockin’ country. Band members are seasoned musicians, each having decades of experience.
This talented group offers a variety of musical styles to keep your guests grooving, including cover songs, blues, Motown classics, R&B hits, and more. Members of the Urban Muse Band have been honored with accolades from the Detroit Black Music Awards, with Robin Briggs (guitar, vocals) receiving the award for 2023 “Blues Artist of the Year”, Chelly K (lead vocals) receiving awards Detroit City Council “Best Jazz Vocalist 2012”, and the “State Senate Award”, and Faye Bradford (lead vocals) receiving the award for 2023 “Best R&B Vocalist”.
An accomplished musician and vocalist, Martinez’s accomplishments include performing, producing, and arranging various artists. “Born to Win” is his debut album. His music is primarily rock-integrated with more of a classic rock feel.
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
9 – 10 a.m.
Please arrive by 8:45 a.m. to check in,
and bring your yoga mat.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
10 a.m.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
2 – 3 p.m.
Drawings:
Primary Soul was founded in 2023 by guitarist Rudolf Michele, with Gary Cash on bass and guitar, Chip Mohr on drums, Ernie Blackburn on bass, and Lee Anne Hillaker on vocals. Primary Soul can’t wait to bring you some awesome alternative dream pop!
A six-piece band, initially comprised of former Detroit-area Christian band “Close Enough,” musicians Adam Tilley, Paul “Chip” Mohr, Gary Cash II and JP Duncan, founded and formed the “Rocking Boomers” classic rock jam band in 2023. The band was later joined by Rudy Michele and vocalists Jen Taylor and Love Moorer. They are unified in their dedication to charitable events and delivering the best musical experience for their audiences.
Five-piece, female-fronted “Heart” heavy rock band. Influences are Heart, Pat Benatar, Rush, Boston, and good old fashioned Rock and Roll that makes people want to move! Connie, Vocals; Rod, Guitar; Moe, Bass Guitar; Dave, Drums; Cameron, Keyboard!
Kids under 12 are free. Dogs are free, too!
If you do not want to fundraise for entry into the festival,
you can purchase your entry below!
Just want to fundraise?
Want to spread some love? Fundraising is the heart of PAWCHELLA, helping us care for nearly 2,500 animals every year. Whether you’re walking with us or cheering from home, you can join the fun and raise funds that truly save lives.
To learn more, please contact Nova Zorok, Events and Communications Manager, at nzorok@metrodetroitanimals.org or 313-943-2697 ext. 1019.
16121 Reckinger Road, Dearborn, MI 48126
friends@metrodetroitanimals.org
Phone: 313-943-2697 x 6001
Fax: Fax@MetroDetroitAnimals.org
Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Sunday: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Lost and Found, Trap Rentals, Donation Drop-Off
16121 Reckinger Road, Dearborn, MI 48126
friends@metrodetroitanimals.org
Phone: 313-943-2697 x 6002
Fax: Fax@MetroDetroitAnimals.org
Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
