Pawlloween Pawrade for costumed dogs in Montreal

“It’s zoo therapy,” said Terry D'Agostino, Founder and CEO of Pawsome Concierge, as Montrealers gathered for a Halloween-themed dog parade that aims to support efforts to save Mali Park in Outremont. Johanie Bouffard reports.

By News Staff

It may look like the king of the jungle took over a Montreal park over the weekend, but the furry beast had more bark than roar.

Fitted with a lion’s mane and ears, Claude Girard’s long-haired Labrador was one of dozens of pooches dressed up for the inaugural Pawlloween Pawrade at Mali Dog Park on Saturday.

Proud dog owners first showed off their costumed pets in a parade that began at Place Alice-Girard in Outremont before arriving at the nearby dog park.

The event was put on by the Association du Parc canin d’Outremont (APCO) and pet service Pawsome Concierge.

“For me it’s zoo therapy. A few years ago, I couldn’t even get out of my house. I suffered from a lot of mental health, I still struggle. Plans like today make it easy to come out, to get together, to speak to people. A lot of us have fought loneliness in the last few years and things like this, you make new friends and it really brings us together,” said Terri D’Agostino, founder and CEO of Pawsome Concierge.

The event aims to support the Association’s efforts to save Mali Park from upcoming Rockland viaduct redevelopment.

“I want to save that park, the moment because they will have to redo the overpass that goes to Ville Mont-Royal. All the plans that were submitted by the city don’t keep, they don’t keep the park at all. The park will be destroyed and it’s a beautiful green space with a lot of trees, more than 80 large trees and a very nice green space,” said Claude Girard, president of the APCO.

The APCO president is proud to see so many dog lovers from across the province and hopes the event will rally community support to protect Mali Park from upcoming urban development.

“If people come and decide to come become members of the APCO or just to give up a little tap on the shoulder saying we believe in what you’re doing, if they have a certain expertise, because we’ll need some expertise to present a memoir to the city to show the importance to keep a dog park of this size here,” said Girard.

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