Faire attendee Leia Gardner embraces one of the Dog Yoga adoptable shelter animals.

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - "It's the biggest event we've ever had!"

Those words belonged to a delighted Brittani Peterson as the Bradshaw Animal Shelter's Public Information Officer surveyed the hub of activity generated by the fourth Annual Roy C. Marcum Animal Care Faire. 

Held Saturday, May 16 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. the four-hour event on the expansive shelter grounds featured animal-centric vendors, free adoptions, dog yoga, pet training demos, food truck and more for attendees to enjoy.

A pug at the Animal Care Faire hopes to get a head scratch or two. 

Designed as a celebration of community, protecting animals and supporting pet owners, the Faire honors the memory of a man who Peterson said loved nothing more - the event's namesake Roy C. Marcum, an Animal Control Officer, who in 2012 was shot and killed in the line of duty.

The Bradshaw Animal Shelter, where Marcum worked, is Sacramento's main shelter for lost and homeless animals and one of the largest in Northern California. It serves the public reuniting pets with owners, offering adoptions, responding to reports of animal cruelty and providing healthcare and licensing. Proceeds from the Faire through the sponsorships and vendor donations help these services continue.

The Faire focused primarily on dogs and cats, but the shelter itself deals with practically all animals including horses, goats, pigs, snakes, rabbits, pigeons and more. “We see it all,” said Peterson.

Sacramento River Cats mascot Dinger greets an attendee’s dog.

She roughly estimated attendance at well over a 1,000. Parking itself was at a premium with attendees having to utilize overflow lots which left many having to trek some distance to the event. Shelter employees and volunteers worked together to ensure the Faire ran as smoothly as possible.

The majority of Faire activity took place inside the large bark park, named also after Marcum, where the enthusiastic 100 plus vendors offered apparel, food, accessories and other pet goods. A highland cow petting zoo charmed both young and old as did Sacramento River Cats mascot Dinger. As many attendees brought along their own dogs, the bark park saw plenty of playful interactions between people and dogs.

At a pug rescue booth, attendee Kris Smith found herself smitten by a pack of the popular small breed. "I want to bring them all home with me," laughed Smith.

Kim Velasco holds a pose with a furry friend during Dog Yoga.

Also within the bark park, certified professional trainers from Sentire K9 demonstrated their training methods. Trainer Jill Patterson and her dog Fetch captivated the audience with a detection drill where the black lab found alcohol amongst four possible hiding places. Sentire K9 founder and trainer Allie Young, partnered with bernedoodle Georgie, followed with a series of informative training drills showcasing the important bond between owner and pet necessary for effective training.

"We had so many great questions during our demonstrations, and we enjoyed sharing what dogs are capable of doing," said Young.

During the yoga sessions, downward dog poses were met with literal downward dogs as adoptable shelter animals led by volunteer handlers warmly interacted with participants. The practice of yoga was made even more relaxing than usual due to the inquisitive, love-seeking dogs, and participants happily found it difficult to hold poses under the onslaught of canine kisses and cuddles.

The Highland Cow petting zoo was a popular attraction at the Animal Care Faire.

"I love giving back to my community which is what yoga is all about" said Wood-Miller, a Rancho Cordova resident well known for her yoga practice and animal volunteer work.

Over at the shelter's main building just past the food truck area, animal adoptions were offered free resulting in a higher number of the public than usual going home with a new pet. Peterson said they had 34 adoptions whereas a typical weekend day usually sees only around 20.

In the days after the event, Peterson said the Bradshaw Animal Shelter is looking to add attractions to the Faire next time such as "a live band, more entertainment and continue to make it bigger and better year after year."

Sentire K9 certified pet trainers Jill Andrews and Allie Young with team dog Fetch gave lives demos at the Animal Care Faire.

Peterson also noted the strong positive response to this year's event and in particular the review of a special group of attendees - the family of Roy C. Markum.

"They were really excited about this last one. They said it is exactly what they envisioned for Roy."

For more information about the Bradshaw Animal Shelter, visit https://animalcare.saccounty.gov/

Cami Jay was just one of 100 plus vendors selling animal merchandise.