News

PHOTOS: Model Pets hit Coney Island for seventh year in a row

June 13, 2017 Danielle Kogan

Share this:

Pets hit the Coney Island Boardwalk for the neighborhood’s seventh annual pet day on Saturday, June 10, striking a pose for passersby in front of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.

With the entry fee being just two cans of pet food, all proceeds were donated to Sean Casey Animal Rescue (SCAR), a not-for-profit no-kill animal rescue organization based in Kensington. The competition was steep, with the pets competing for the funniest and most creative costumes. One category had pets and their owners donning related duds to vie for the best dual costume award.

The shelter, which takes in animals that are as diverse as tarantulas and 100 pound land turtles as well as cats and dogs, is known for taking in creatures with even the most pressing of medical conditions. It is also a safe haven for wildlife rehabilitation, and the organization boasts of its record of rescuing over 8,000 animals from Animal Care and Control since 1998.

Jen Gapay, the event organizer, told this paper, that the contest was near and dear to her heart because her dog, Tanzie, was a rescue from Sean Casey. “If you rescue an animal, you are literally saving a life and there isn’t really anything more important than that!” she stressed.

This year, judges for the competitions were Councilmember Mark Treyger, Deputy Inspector of the 60th Precinct William Taylor, and “Queen Marlene” of the Toy Museum of NY. Regardless of contest results, pets and owners even got to ride Deno’s Wonder Wheel for free between noon and 7 p.m.