This Saturday pet owners in the county will have the opportunity to get their animals gussied up and strut them down the “catwalk,” thanks to Mayberry4Paws and the Mount Airy Petsense.

The event, Paws on the Catwalk, is set for 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Petsense, located at 692 S. Andy Griffith Parkway.

Organizers say the event is a favorite for the community, and is designed to be both fun and educational.

This year’s Paws on the Catwalk features a canine fashion show open to all dogs, and Mayberry4Paws spokesman Jane Taylor said pet owners are encouraged to get creative.

“Use store-bought costumes or make your own designer outfit,” she said. “We usually try to do something like this for Valentine’s Day because folks like to have the opportunity to get their dogs dressed up and show them off.”

At the end of the fashion show a canine Valentine King and Queen will be chosen, with prizes provided by Petsense.

In addition to the fashion show, two baskets will be available for raffle at $1 a ticket.

One of the baskets will be filled with pet-related items, while the other will be more human-friendly, filled with wind donated by Surry County-based Old Mill Vineyards.

And what’s better than a smooch from a pooch?

“We’re also going to have a doggie kissing both, where people can get a doggie kiss for a quarter,” Taylor said with a laugh, noting the doggie kisses are a crowd favorite.

But behind the lightheartedness, organizers want the event to be educational as well.

“Everything we do we try to educate the public about the importance of responsible pet ownership, including the need to spay and neuter their pets,” Taylor said. “We also want to remind people about our current program where they can receive assistance to have their pets spayed or neutered.”

Dogs will be available for adoption at the event, Taylor added.

Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@civitasmedia.com or 719-1929.