DuPage County Fair offering dog adoptions

Cody is a seven-pound brown-and-black terrier mix who likes running in the yard and snuggles on the couch, according to his profile provided by Annie’s Little Angels, a rescue organization.

But Internet pictures don’t give warm, wet kisses.

They don’t show a tail wagging energetically in response to a soft pat on the head.

Cody may be among the dozens of rescue dogs to attend the DuPage County Fair at the second annual dog adoption event that runs through Sunday at the fairgrounds in Wheaton.

A total of eight organizations are bringing 10 to 15 dogs per session.

“The beauty of what we do (and what you can do at the fair) is that someone can walk in and see a rescue animal and get it out and play with it and get to know it,” said Greg Gordon, owner of The Dog Patch in Naperville — one of the event’s sponsors.

Rescue dogs saved from shelters are often taken in by organizations with small budgets and big hearts — organizations that typically operate out of the goodness of someone’s home and place dogs temporarily with foster families while they seek a forever home, said Carey Peterson, an associate of the DuPage County Fair Board and an organizer for the fair’s dog adoptions.

There’s not typically one location where people can visit with numerous rescue dogs, she said.

Gordon agrees.

“One of the things we realized is that if you want to take your kid to see a dog, you’re mostly going to see them from puppy mills,” said Gordon, whose shop has been in business for 40 years and last year switched to solely offering rescue and shelter dogs.

“We’re the only place you can bring your kids to hang out with rescue dogs.”

Well, there, and for five days at the fair.

In its first year, 10 dogs found a forever home by attending the fair, Gordon said.

This year, with plenty of cross-promotion and a high-profile location just within the entrance gates, organizers hope to place 50 dogs.

On Sunday, It’s a Pittie Rescue will be at the fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Cry for Help Rescue from 4 to 7 p.m.

Each organization can be found on petfinder.com, Peterson said.

People interested in seeing a particular dog from one of the organizations can call in advance and try to request that the dog attend the fair, she said.

For two hours each day, people will have the opportunity to ask a veterinarian questions.

Additionally, the Animal Medical Clinic of Wheaton is offering each adoptee from the fair a free first checkup, and a free dose of flea and tick preventive and heartworm preventive.

“The fair has become very charitable in general — we’ve got so many more service projects than in the past,” Peterson said. “It’s just a way for us to give back — especially to our four-legged friends.”

The DuPage County Fair runs from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. General admission is $8 for adults and $3 for kids ages 3 to 12.

For a complete schedule of events or additional information about the dog adoptions, visit dupagecountyfair.org or call (630) 668-6636.