Plenty of good food vendors, great entertainment, crafters and rescue groups came together on Saturday at the Lehighton Park to create a venue for people to learn more about taking care of their pets and possibly find a new forever friend to take home.

Donna Crum, organizer of the second annual Rockin' Rescue, was in high spirts on Saturday watching as hundreds of people enjoyed the day in the park.Crum was extremely pleased with the turnout."People could get the education they needed as to where to call, where to go and what to do in any situation," said Crum. "If there is a lost dog in Carbon County, they know what to do for the best outcome."Crum said that all the bands and music were donated because the groups all wanted to help the cause."The best part is the networking," she said. "All the groups are communicating and that is a good thing for Carbon County residents."Along with the rescue groups providing information and pets for adoption, there were people who came to help raise money to help the animals.There were plenty of dog- and cat-themed vendors, as well as vendors offering doll clothes, hair bows, hula hoops, jewelry, household items, purses and vitamins and supplements.Donna Hartley of Mahoning Valley brought along "Doozie" her Sussex spaniel, who is one of 75 of the breed. With his short legs, longer body and even longer ears, Doozie made lots of friends.Hartley, who brought specialized pet items to sell, said her goal was to introduce the Sussex spaniel breed to people to create a demand for the friendly dogs."Without an interest in the breed, I am afraid it will die out," said Hartley.There were lollipops for sale by Cats Peek Rescue to raise funds for Jack, a rescued kitten that needed surgery. Carbon County Animal Shelter had drinks, hot dogs, hamburgers and sausage sandwiches for sale along with Cesare, a Rottweiler/shepherd mix; and Fifi, Jasper and Chopper, all pit bull mixes; and Raul, a beagle, that were all available for adoption.Debbie Craver, the county's new animal officer at the animal shelter, introduced herself. She said she had assisted with two adoptions.There was also a blanket raffle and information about $25 microchips by Cat's Peek Rescue, which also offered cupcakes for sale and showed off four kittens that were available for adoption.Christina Obrecht of Palmerton was offering a meet and greet with Apollo, a rescued alligator, that had been abandoned inside a home. He had been living inside a plastic tote without food and water and light or heat. Obrecht said that Christina's Reptile and Animal Sanctuary does not adopt out their rescues, but finds them homes in an animal farm or game preserve."We take birds and aquatics of all kinds which are rescued or abandoned or given up by their owners," said Obrecht.At the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, they offered information and were showing off their personal pets.Carbon County Friends of Animals had several cats for adoption.On hand was Rocket, a dog that was hit by a car and left for dead by the side of the road for two days. He underwent surgery and was adopted two years ago by Jim McKeone, president of the shelter. Since Rocket had bone chips in his spine, they feared he would be paralyzed. While Rocket, now 3 years old cannot use his back legs, he is able to get around using a wheelchair for his back end. He pulls himself along on his front legs. He recently passed the test to become a therapy dog and will be visiting nursing homes and hospitals."There were too many cats and kittens at the shelter," said Susie Yaich of the CCFOA."We have a variety of ages," said Yaich. "We have adults and a lot of kittens." For more information or to adopt a cat or kitten call Yaich at (570) 325-2221, or her cell at (484) 629-5258. The shelter at 900 Walnut Ave., Jim Thorpe, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.Also available to assist was Alley Cat of Rescue Ink, a Brooklyn-based rescue group, that was the subject of a six-hour documentary film that showed what goes on behind the scenes at the no-kill shelter.Entertainment was provided by Rehab X, Senile Delinquents, Waiting for Katie, the Bees Knees and Crime Dog Karaoke sponsored by Lehighton Crime Watch.Also part of the event were the Jukebox Cruisers.