In focus: People and pets turn out for PAWchella pet fair in Chehalis

Pet owners, along with their scaly and furry friends, attended the second annual PAWchella event at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis Saturday, Sept. 30, for pet-friendly fun.

According to event co-organizer Dianne Stefanini, more than 50 vendors were in attendance, including animal rescues and local businesses such as Totally Pawsome.

The first PAWchella was a much smaller event held last year in the parking lot at Chehalis United Methodist Church. While PAWchella moved this year, the church still sponsored the event and had a booth where people could have their pets blessed by pastor Zachary Taylor, free of charge. The event was held just prior to Saint Francis Day, a religious holiday commemorating Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.

Organizers said they hope to make PAWchella an annual event.